Dutch Seeking Alternative Methods to Fight Anti-Semitism

San Diego Church & State Examiner by Anna Cheuvront

In Amsterdam, the Jewish community is being subjected to elevated amounts of anti-Semitism. Specifically, Jews residing in a predominately Moroccan neighborhood are experiencing a high level of violence and badgering, particularly those who wear Jewish apparel, such as a Yamaka.

To help reduce the verbal and physical violence directed towards Dutch Jews, Moroccan-born Dutch Parliament Member Ahmed Marcouch has suggested a unique solution to help tackle anti-Semitic violence: “decoy Jews,”

According to Marcouch, “Everything must be done to keep this phenomenon from growing.” His suggestion is to place undercover officers in Jewish apparel in areas of high violence. Perpetrators will then soon be aware of the risks associated with attacking someone they believe is Jewish. Marcouch and his colleagues in the Parliament aim to send a clear message to Amsterdam residents that violence and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

The city has already used other decoys to help curb violence in their city. Amsterdam is home to police decoys dressed as prostitutes, homosexuals, and grandmothers to help fight crime. Decoy prostitutes and homosexuals are used to arrest those who would commit crimes of discrimination against these groups. But the purpose of the grandmother decoys, however, is to minimize violence. A healthy fear of acting up in front of grandma is, apparently, universal.

According to a police spokesman, “if we receive reports of street robbery in a certain location, we send out the granny. That soon quiets things down.” The tactic used to discourage criminals from theft is now being used to help protect prostitutes and homosexuals – and possibly Jews as well.