John, 

Last night, we were confronted with shocking scenes of antisemitic violence in Amsterdam. Supporters of an Israeli soccer team were singled out, brutally attacked, and pursued through the streets – targeted for being Jewish. These distressing events echoed some of the darkest moments of our collective history, reminding us of the urgent need to combat hatred and violence against our community wherever it appears. 

This horrific incident follows a troubling pattern, with recent reports of systemic antisemitism within Dutch institutions, including cases of Dutch police reportedly refusing to protect Jewish communities facing threats. Such neglect underscores the vulnerability of our community and raises serious concerns about commitment to our safety. 

Today, we took immediate action by sending a letter to Ambassador Margriet Vonno, voicing our profound shock and horror. In our letter, we called on Dutch officials to hold accountable those who incited, enabled, and participated in last night's violence. We have urged the Dutch government to bring the full weight of the law to bear on these offenders, ensuring that justice is served swiftly and transparently. 

Please find a copy of the letter below, which underscores our dedication to protecting Jewish communities and advocating against antisemitism on the global stage. We remain in close contact with officials and allies, both in Canada and abroad, to ensure that antisemitism is met with decisive action. 

As always, we will continue to monitor this situation closely and keep you updated. We stand firm in our commitment to hold those responsible accountable and to work toward a safer future for all. 

Thank you for standing with us.

Contact us at [email protected] with questions or comments. 

CIJA