The Netherlands's National Holocaust Museum is set to open on Sunday in Amsterdam, with a ceremony attended by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The museum aims to honor the memory of the 102,000 Jews deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps during World War II.
However, Herzog's presence has sparked protests due to Israel's recent offensive in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the museum, waving flags and calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Protesters expressed opposition to Herzog's attendance, citing concerns over Israel's actions in the region.
The museum, located in a former teacher training college, features exhibits that highlight the persecution of Jews under German occupation, as well as artifacts symbolizing lives lost during the Holocaust. One room displays discriminatory laws enacted against Jews by the Nazis and Dutch collaborators.
Despite the controversy surrounding Herzog's visit, the Jewish Cultural Quarter, which oversees the museum, emphasized its commitment to commemorating the Holocaust and expressed solidarity with those affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The opening of the National Holocaust Museum serves as a reminder of the atrocities of the past and the importance of preserving the memory of those who perished during one of history's darkest chapters.
