'Muslims won't take over'

Amsterdam's Jewish mayor talks to Ynet about Holland's immigration woes, anti-Israel feelings

By Yitzhak Benhorin|Published: 06.01.05 , 20:46

AMSTERDAM - November 2, 2004, was Holland's September 11. On that date, controversial filmmaker and journalist Theo Van Gogh, known as a harsh critic of Islam, was murdered on a crowded Amsterdam street.

Van Gogh was shot, his throat was slit, and a letter was attached to his chest with a knife.

The suspect in the shocking killing was a 26-year-old Moroccan immigrant who was caught soon after the murder. The bloodstained letter he left on the victim's body contained a murder threat directed at Job Cohen, Amsterdam's Jewish mayor.

The Dutch public was stunned by the murder. Subsequently, violent riots broke out, mosques and churches were set ablaze, and dozens were injured.

The liberal, tranquil Holland has not recovered since.

'Murder had huge effect'

In a special interview with Ynet, Cohen said he does not know why the murder threat was directed at him of all people.

"Apparently it's a combination of the fact I'm a mayor and Jewish," he said. "But that didn't cause me to change any decision."

Still, Cohen acknowledged that despite the relative quiet that has prevailed in Amsterdam, things are not the same as before.

"The effect of that murder on Holland is huge," he said.

Cohen says Amsterdam is essentially a city of immigrants, but admits Muslim newcomers, as opposed to other groups, have not yet been able to integrate into Dutch society.

"I'm not sure they'll be taking over us," he said. "Amsterdam's mentality still dominates."

In his former capacity as Holland's deputy justice minister, Cohen placed some curbs on immigration. He says he ensured things were being run in a more orderly fashion, noting some newcomers received refugee status undeservedly.

"They sat here for several years, raised families…later it was difficult to expel them and we also found out they told us beautiful stories that weren't always true," he said. "We established a quick one-year procedure, after which it's easy for those rejected to leave before they establish themselves here with a family and children."

'I didn't want to be prime minister'

Still, while running a city where one of every three residents is a Muslim immigrant, Cohen finds himself having to face "Israeli problems."

He knows that as a Jew his motives are suspected by Muslims, even though he makes attempts to get closer to their leaders and maintain regular dialogue with them. In fact, the interview took place shortly before a special reception at his official residence for Muslim neighborhood leaders.

Addressing anti-Israel sentiments in Holland, Cohen says it appears the difficult feelings are particularly prevalent among Muslim residents.

"The way the conflict is presented on television acts in favor of the Palestinians," he said. "According to this way of presentation, single Palestinians are responsible for terror attacks in Israeli cities, while Israeli soldiers demonstrate a harsh attitude to Palestinian children and women."

The 57-year-old Cohen could have been a prime minister, after his name was submitted as candidate for the post on behalf of the local Labor party. The party had an impressive showing in the 2003 elections, but still lost to the Christian Democrats.