https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/0...he-papers-say/
So who are the rioters who have taken to the streets all over the Netherlands for the past few days, and why are they rioting? Commentators and experts have been trying to attach some meaning to this week’s street violence.
Journalist and Talk show legend
Catherine Keyl, who was present at some of the squatters riots in Amsterdam 40 years ago and made a documentary about Urk, is in no doubt in the Telegraaf. ‘It’s too easy to call these people scum, or say they’re being held back through lack of opportunities, or that they simply don’t hold with authority,’ she wrote.
‘I fear that what we have here is a bunch of spoiled brats who are bored and go on the rampage for kicks. Am I wrong to say that girls were in a minority? In that case there is some hope for the future.’
The Capitol Foreign commentator Bernard Hammelburg said on BNR radio that the riots were ‘not that different’ from what happened at the Capitol in the US. ‘Torching a test facility, demolishing a train station and attacking a hospital is perhaps worse than storming a parliamentary building,’ he said.
‘Anti-corona measures nutjobs are linking arms with anti-corona measures hooligans, he said. ‘These are the types who, at home, in their own environment and even without going on demonstrations don’t give a **** either. I’m pretty sure these are the groups that are largely responsible for the high number of infections. And the curfew that they’re so opposed to.’
Far right In the NRC, political scientist Léonie de Jonge said that although it is not exactly clear who the rioters are and what motivates them, some had clearly been listening to the far right. The PVV and Forum voor Democratie, she said ‘incited the events because they literally called for riots’. She pointed out that the local branch of the PVV on Urk said it ‘would do everything in its power prevent the curfew from taking place place’ and that the FvD had said ‘this is the second night that Rutte imprisons the Netherlands. The FvD will continue to resist’. These incendiary right wing messages for the behaviour of some of the rioters, at the parties front doors, she said.