The Jewish community of Rotterdam has taken a decisive stand: following Erasmus University Rotterdam’s suspension of collaborations with Israeli universities, the community has frozen ongoing negotiations concerning the construction of student housing on land it owns. Chairman Chris den Hoedt explains the decision.
Was the Jewish community primarily motivated by public interest rather than financial gain in initiating this project?
Chris den Hoedt: Absolutely. Our intention from the outset was to contribute to addressing the shortage of student housing in the city. Given the strategic location of our land near the university, we saw it as the morally right step to take. We developed the project in partnership with a consortium that included Erasmus University.
What led the community to now suspend the project?
Chris den Hoedt: The university’s decision cannot be separated from its broader failure to act against antisemitic incidents or to protect its Jewish students.
While activists are granted free rein to erect encampments, glorify terrorists, and chant antisemitic slogans, Jewish students can only gather under security protection — and even then, their meetings must remain discreet. In contrast, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have their activities promoted on the university’s website and do not require security at all.
Jewish students are not being heard by the university leadership, and no concrete measures have been taken to protect them.
There is even a Jewish professor at Erasmus University who now requires a bodyguard just to enter the campus and teach his classes.
Are you aware of this case?
Chris den Hoedt: Yes, we are fully aware and are monitoring the university’s response closely.
What else are you hearing from within the Jewish community regarding the academic climate for Jewish and Israeli students and faculty at Erasmus?
Chris den Hoedt: We’re in close contact with the students and meet with them regularly. The level of frustration and concern for their safety is deeply troubling.
Has Erasmus University responded to your decision to freeze the construction project?
Chris den Hoedt: Not yet.
Have there been any responses from the city council or the media?
Chris den Hoedt: Not yet, but we fully expect that they will respond soon.
In the meantime, the Jewish community of Rotterdam is receiving a wave of public support via social media.
Do you feel that this is awakening public awareness — or do you fear the situation for the Jewish community in Rotterdam, and in the Netherlands more broadly, may deteriorate further?
Chris den Hoedt: The concern — and it is a valid one — is that the negative sentiment will not simply fade away. In the current polarized climate, it is up to both political leaders and society at large to find a way forward. If no concrete action is taken, this will fester and affect the next generation as well.
What we seek to communicate is that a threshold has been crossed. If we remain silent now, the boundaries of what is considered acceptable will continue to shift.
Could the upcoming elections serve as a litmus test for Dutch society’s attitude toward the Jewish community and the State of Israel? The demonization of Israel by some parties has been extreme.
Chris den Hoedt: The issue we’re facing is broader than individual political stances. Everyone has a role to play in preventing further polarization and hatred. This means speaking out and setting an example for others. The demonization of Israel is unprecedented — but we have seen such hatred before. The real question is whether this reflects who we are today as a society, or whether we still possess the ability to correct ourselves.
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