Dutch Christians Boycott Netherlands Church Over Exhibit Portraying Jailed Palestinian Children
Dutch Christians have boycotted a Netherlands church for displaying an exhibit they believe encourages anti-Semitism.
Named "Room No. 4" the exhibit was brought to Utrecht's Domkerk Church, one of the Netherlands best-known places of worship, by the Dutch Coalition for Palestinian Children in Israeli Detention. The exhibit features adult models tied up in ropes to portray jailed Palestinian children who are in Israeli detention facilities.
Earlier this month, Hebe Kohlbrugge, a member of the church, joined other Christians in the protest by boycotting the exhibit due to what he believes to be a permeating anti-Jewish sentiment from the piece.
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"Many people cannot differentiate between Israel and Jews," Kohlbrugge told the Trouw daily newspaper. "People wearing kippot are being harassed over Israel's actions. Thus criticism of Israel becomes anti-Semitism."
Kohlbrugge also said he believes the church is an unsuitable venue for criticizing Israel. "Before you point fingers, better look at the ones pointing in your direction."
Japp Hamburger, whose group belongs to the Dutch Coalition for Palestinian Children in Israeli Detention recently wrote an Op-Ed on the Dutch news website Joop.nl where he claimed that the exhibit doesn't encourage anti-Semitism.
The church, according to JTA, agrees with Hamburger and believes the exhibit affirms children's rights and on that basis decided to display it on its premises.
" ... [T]he church placed a board displaying members' complaints against the exhibit, but said it decided to host it anyway because of its "commitment to children's rights," JTA reports.
Other religious group, however, such as the Liberal Jewish Community of Utrecht, also condemned "Room No.4."
Israel National News also reported on the boycott of the exhibit and asserted that there are misconceptions over the nation's detention of minors.
The publication cites the UN's rights group UNICEF's report which states that most children arrested by Israel are teenage boys, many of whom are likely to have been involved in Hamas or Fatah "summer camps" for Palestinian incitement against Israelis.
