Anti-Muslim sentiment far higher than anti-Jewish prejudice, report shows

Christian youngsters and those with no religion are much more negative about Muslims than Muslim youngsters are about Jews, according to a report by the Verwey Jonker Institute, published on Tuesday.

A leaked version of the report was published by the Telegraaf on Monday which showed 12% of Muslim youths are ‘not very positive’ about Jews and 62% are ‘not very positive about Israel’.

However, the full report, which is based on the opinions of youngsters aged 15 to 23, also shows that 34% of Christians and 27% of people with no religion are ‘not very positive’ about Muslims – a far higher percentage.

In addition, 40% of the native Dutch youngsters are negative about Moroccans, the research, which involved 2,350 people, showed.

Minister

In a letter to parliament accompanying the report, social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher described the results as ‘very serious’ and ‘shocking’.

‘It is unacceptable that a small grouping such as the Jewish community generates such negative opinions from some youths,’ the minister said. In particular, he said it is unacceptable that the Israel-Palestinian conflict has an impact on people’s behaviour in the Netherlands.

He also condemned the use of chanting about Jews by football supporters. Amsterdam football club Ajax is nicknamed De Joden.