Alexa, play that ol’ rock song because the kids ARE alright! New research shows good mental health and social relationships among young people in the Netherlands.
The results come from a large study of ‘Health Behaviour in School-aged Children’ across 44 countries and 280,000 students aged 11, 13 and 15.
The key findings for Dutch youths are mostly positive, but less so for girls, RTL shares.
Fewer on their phones, fewer feeling alone
The Netherlands ranks positively in three key areas: loneliness, talking about their struggles, and social media negativity.
Online beef is a big part of tween communication these days, but the Netherlands has the lowest percentage internationally when it comes to problematic social media use.
Dutch kids are also among the least lonely in the study, and most of them feel like they can easily talk to their parents if something bothers them.
But have you ever asked your dad a question just to be told, “Talk to mum?” Well, the study shows that Dutch youths are even more likely to talk to their mother than their father about issues (it’s close, though 😉).
Deteriorating mental health in girls
There’s a concerning pattern whenever the Netherlands celebrates being really happy or having great well-being — it’s not as good news for women.
And it’s no different for young girls in this study, who experience more mental problems on average.
When asked how often they suffer from anxious feelings, headaches or sleeping problems, 50% of girls indicated they experienced these symptoms more than once a week.
For the boys, this was much lower at 28%.
However, this is an international problem; results for almost all of the participating countries show deterioration in girls’ mental well-being.
Are you surprised by the results of the study? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Parents with children who require a lot of care (under the Long-Term Care Act or WLZ) will receive double childcare benefits on July 1. The outgoing cabinet has also relaxed the application procedure for this benefit.
The childcare benefit, in general, will also increase for kids up to 17 years old, but this change only comes into effect in October.
Permanent rental contracts become the norm
Previously, Dutch landlords used temporary contracts to gradually increase the rent of their houses with each new tenant.
To protect tenants, landlords must provide permanent rental contracts if a temporary contract is finished — a much-needed policy in the fight against the Dutch housing shortage.
Of course, there are exceptions to this, such as if you’re a student or if you’re leaving the home for a renovation.
Vacation days are expiring
The statutory vacation days you’ve built up since 2023 but not taken will expire on July 1.
In some cases, the limitation period of vacation days doesn’t apply, and other agreements may apply (based on collective labour agreements or extra vacation days outside of the statutory number).
Why not use up any leftover vacation days while there’s actually some sun in the Netherlands? Tip: act fast. 🌞
How will these changes affect you? Tell us in the comments below!
It’s pretty, popular and perfect for students — until it comes to finding housing. The shortage of student homes in Utrecht is increasing, and the council fears it’s only going to get worse.
The high costs and lack of spaces make it harder for graduates to move on, and as many as 22% are still living in student rooms after three years.
De Vries also believes the increasing shortage is largely due to the rise of international students, who are set to double by 2030.
That’s despite indications from the city’s universities that they want to attract fewer foreign students to study there.
i think if two university libraries and a whole city can’t cope with the amount of students the university accepts per year, maybe the university shouldn’t accept that many people, but idk that’s just me wondering how to fix the social and housing issues in utrecht……
One increasingly popular solution is hospitaverhuur (landlady rental), where students live in the same house as the landlord.
But if that’s a bit too close for comfort, the temporary housing project Pagelaan will also be completed this year, making space for around 100 students.
What do you think about Utrecht’s student housing shortage? Let us know in the comments below.
After three weeks of cold, rainy weather, summer is finally coming to the Netherlands this week!
Thunderstorms and mosquitos are June’s main characters, but they’re definitely not what we’re hoping for the rest of the summer.
And we’re in luck! Starting this week, The Netherlands will be basking in the warmth and brightness of the sun, reports Weerplaza.
It’s getting hot in here!
Monday and Tuesday will be sun-filled days with a calm breeze coming in from the northeast.
The northern provinces and the Wadden Islands will stay at a cool 20 degrees Celsius, while the rest of the country will reach between 23 and 26 degrees Celsius.
A warmer breeze from the south will warm the country on Tuesday, bringing temperatures to 22 degrees in the Wadden Islands and as high as 28 degrees in the south.
Vitamin D for days
The UV index will also be higher than usual at around UV 7 and 8, meaning you could burn in 10 minutes in the middle of the day (your daily reminder to wear sunscreen!).
Temperatures will peak on Wednesday, averaging between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius. Humidity will increase, especially in the south, and there are chances of local rain and thunderstorms on Thursday.
Not to worry though — temperatures will still remain at a toasty average between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius.
The weekend will cool down with the mercury dropping between 19 and 23 degrees around the country, ending the month with a mix of clouds, sun, and rain.
What are your plans with the good weather this week? Share your thoughts in the comments!
If you’ve been hit by a particularly irritating ailment, need to pop down to your local doctor, and are registered at a Co-Med practice… things are about to get complicated. 😬
Health insurers CV, VGZ, Menzis, and Zilveren Kruis released a joint statement yesterday (June 20) to note that they were suspending their partnership with health provider Co-Med.
Adding insult to injury, a part of the Co-Med chain has also officially been declared bankrupt.
As a result, thousands of patients across the Netherlands have suddenly lost their GP service. Let’s talk about why — and what you can expect to happen next.
Allegedly, Co-Med can’t “guarantee the continuity of good care”
Whilst the four main insurers didn’t mince their words when it came to cutting ties with the struggling healthcare provider, they certainly had good reason to be stern. 👇
According to the NOS, an inspection by the Health and Youth Inspectorate (IGJ) concluded that Co-Med practices had several dangerous shortcomings.
Many of the practices were difficult to reach by phone, didn’t always have a GP available for emergencies, and offered patients insufficient information on what to do if they couldn’t reach their GP’s office.
Oké, what do I do now?
If you’re registered at a Co-Med doctor’s office and require medical attention, these are the GP alternatives you can temporarily choose (based on your location):
Amsterdam: Arene and Jouw Huisarts Aan De Louwesweg
Usually, you think of positive things when someone tells you that history is about to be made. However, in this case, you might just be really inconvenienced by it.
For the first time EVER, no trains will run to or from Amsterdam Centraal at all.
The historic date? June 29.
However, you may just want to exclude the station from your travel plans altogether for a while…
What can I expect?
If you thought Amsterdam Centraal was chaos already, you’d better buckle up. The end of June will herald a whole new world of travel chaos. 👇
Thankfully, the NS can already tell us what sort of cancellations to expect.
From June 24 to 28: fewer trains will run between Utrecht Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal and Enkhuizen and Amsterdam Centraal
June 29: no trains will run at all to or from Amsterdam Centraal
On June 30: no trains will run between Amsterdam Muiderpoort and Weesp
June 30 and July 1: very limited trains will run between Amsterdam Centraal and Sloterdijk mainly affecting travellers on the Amsterdam Centraal to Schiphol/Zaandam route
From June 29 to July 1: international trains will run on an adjusted timetable and won’t stop at Amsterdam Centraal.
From July 2 to July 7: fewer trains will run between Amsterdam Centraal and Hilversum/Almere
Timetables aside, the NS also warns passengers that it’s going to be harder than usual to reach your platform.
For example, if you need a lift to reach your platform, be warned that all lifts in the eastern tunnel will be unavailable due to the construction.
Looking for the best places to live near Amsterdam? We get it.
So the inevitable happened: you spent some time in the Netherlands’ biggest metropolis, sat in the sun along the canal or wandered in a quiet foggy Vondelpark — and suddenly, it hit you. You want to live here.
That’s cool; there’s just one problem: a housing crisis, overcrowding, tourists everywhere, and skyrocketing rents.
Don’t worry, though — because there are plenty of great places to live near Amsterdam that will give you easy access to the Dutch capital.
By deciding to live near Amsterdam rather than in it, you can save some serious cash (and nerves 😉) while still profiting from those big-city-perks whenever needed.
Need to find a place near Amsterdam fast? Jump to a section below!
First: Amsterdam vs. the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area
When looking for places to live near Amsterdam, it’s important to note the difference between Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, and the greater Amsterdam Area.
What is the difference, you ask? Well, hundreds of thousands of people and many different municipalities. The Greater Amsterdam Area includes many of Amsterdam’s neighbouring towns, suburbs and cities — which are dependent on the urban core in the middle.
If we measure Amsterdam purely within its city limits, it counts a population of about 1,2 million people. In contrast, Metropolitan Amsterdam counts more than double that, with a whopping 2,5 million people. 🤯
The Greater Amsterdam Area is a great place to live for many reasons: it’s cheaper, it’s quieter, and it’s well connected to the capital! On top of that, these areas are often a lot greener and have vibrant, international communities.
So, what are the best places to live near Amsterdam? What towns within Metropolitan Amsterdam are worth checking out? Let’s have a look! 👇
1. Haarlem: the capital of North Holland
Does it get any more Dutch than this? Image: Depositphotos
Haarlem is a medium-sized city that is also the capital of North Holland. Yes, we know it’s confusing: Amsterdam is the capital of the country, the government is located in The Hague, and Haarlem is the capital of the province in which Amsterdam is located. Why make it easy when you can make it difficult, right?
You can think of Haarlem as a laid-back mini-Amsterdam. It has charming canals and canal houses; a nice city centre with plenty of places to shop, wine, and dine; and a big international community.
As a very safe and laid-back city, Haarlem is also super family-friendly. Not only does it have its own international school (and many Dutch ones, too), but there also is no scarcity when it comes to clubs and events for children.
Craving some fresh air and greenery? Geen problem, says Haarlem. It’s home to the national park Zuid-Kennemerland, offering superb choices for the nature lover, the runner, the hiker, and the cyclist alike. 🚴♀️
If you’re more the beach-kind-of-person, you’ll be happy to hear that Haarlem is also super close to the sea and that you can be at the famous Zandvoort Beach in no time!
🏠 Average rent (per square metre): € 20.49 in 2020 🔑 Average house cost (per square metre): €5,116 in 2023 🚄 Travel time to Amsterdam Centraal: 18 Minutes
The next town on our list of best places to live near Amsterdam is Almere. Though located in an entirely different province, Flevoland, this city is just across the IJmeer from Amsterdam and the second largest city in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.
Since this is one of the Netherlands’ youngest cities, built mostly during the 70s and 80s, it has less of that quintessentially Dutch vibe. On the bright side, this also means that Almere hosts a lot of spacious neighbourhoods, modern housing, and green oases.
Another unique selling point is the fact that Almere has free space available for people to design and build new homes (a true rarity in the Netherlands!). Oh, and because it was built on water, Almere also gives you great access to some refreshing lakes.
A popular place for expats and families alike, Almere has its own international school, as well as plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés. Much of Almere’s cultural scene and entertainment is also specifically catered toward families.
🏠 Average rent (per square metre): €14.68 in 2020 🔑 Average house cost (per square metre): €3,685 in 2023 🚄 Travel time to Amsterdam Centraal: 20 minutes
3. Hoofddorp: built on reclaimed land
Hoofddorp lies in the ‘Haarlemmermeer’ municipality, just south of Amsterdam. The city land was reclaimed from a lake when Hoofddorp was founded in 1853.
Hoofddorp’s central location means that the town is incredibly well-connected to cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague. This makes it easy to have fun weekend trips or commute to work in one of the major cities. Leuk!
What might sound niet zo leuk is the fact that Hoofddorp is the direct neighbour of the infamous Schiphol Airport. But fear not: there’ll be none of that deafening aeroplane sound to wake you in the morning because Hoofddorp is actually a fly-free zone. 🚫✈️
Altogether, Hoofddorp is a typical suburb in which a blend of people comes together. It’s easy to spend all your time outside of the house, be it taking in the surrounding greenery, making use of the many nearby facilities, or exploring nearby cities.
🏠 Average rent (per square metre): €15.78 in 2020 🔑 Average house cost (per square metre): €4,251 in 2023 🚄 Travel time to Amsterdam Centraal: 21 minutes
4. Amstelveen: Amsterdam’s greener brother
The perfect place for a morning swim! Image: Depositphotos
In all seriousness, Amstelveen is about as suburban as it gets — it lives and breathes almost entirely on its bigger brother’s back, Amsterdam.
Nonetheless, the town has all the facilities for you to avoid travelling back and forth to Amsterdam all the time. Once you go into inner Amstelveen, you’ll find that it has a very charming identity of its own.
One of Europe’s biggest city parks, the Amsterdamse Bos is located just on the border of Amselveen and Amsterdam, and is guaranteed to, literally and figuratively, offer you a breath of fresh air. 💨
Prepare to be greeted by great shops, restaurants, cafés, and a large expat community. Why so many internationals, you ask? That’s because many tech companies chose to base their headquarters (along with their workers) “just outside of Amsterdam”.
Amstelveen is generally nice and quiet — other than the occasional roaring plane. It must be said that some parts of Amstelveen suffer from earthquake-like plane movements and other parts relatively little, so be sure to check that out ahead of time.
🏠 Average rent (per square metre): €19.67 in 2022 🔑 Average house cost (per square metre): €5,455 in 2023 🚄 Travel time to Amsterdam Centraal: 30 minutes
5. Zaandam: Amsterdam’s industrious neighbour
This place features some funky Dutch architecture! Image: Depositphotos
You’ve heard of New Jersey and New York, right? Well, think of Zaandam as Amsterdam’s New Jersey — there’s a centuries-old bond between the two and a general understanding that they’re good with each other, yet they’re well aware of their differences.
Amsterdam Noord borders Zaandam by just a few kilometres of road. Much like Haarlem, Zaandam is a pretty old city, but many parts of it are still proudly standing — including the gorgeous windmills at Zaanse Schans.
Besides its beautiful windmills, Zaandam is also known for its industrious character — full of factories and companies that preferred to settle just outside of the unaffordable capital.
Zaandam offers much more affordable housing than Amsterdam, and as a result, it has seen its population grow over the past decades. That also means most of the city boasts relatively newly built apartments. Leuk!
Zaandam’s vibe offers a bit more of a typical Dutch feel, as opposed to the often rushed attitude in Amsterdam. Overall, people are just a little laid-back in Zaandam (and we guess that makes sense if you don’t have to deal with tourists walking on the cycling paths 😉).
🏠 Average rent (per square metre): Unknown 🔑 Average house cost (per square metre): €4,017 in 2023 🚄 Travel time to Amsterdam Centraal: 15 minutes
6. Hilversum: surrounded by nature
Hilversum is located at the centre of the Gooi nature reserve, making it a true green oasis just a stone’s throw from Amsterdam. A quintessentially Dutch city (minus the canals), this place is surrounded by lush forests and refreshing lakes.
The city consists of both modern apartments and charming old houses, with spacious accommodations and all the necessary facilities (shopping malls, medical, public transport) well within reach. 🙌
Since it is extremely expat-friendly, Hilversum also hosts multiple international and bilingual schools.
Though many people living in Hilversum commute to Amsterdam or Utrecht for work, the city itself is a true hub for professionals.
Not only is the Netherlands’ media and entertainment industry based here, providing career opportunities for over 8,000 media professionals, but it is also home to the headquarters of big international brands like Nike and Hunkemöller.
🏠 Average rent (per square metre): €14.88 in 2020 🔑 Average house cost (per square metre): €4,582 in 2023 🚄 Travel time to Amsterdam Centraal: 20 minutes
7. Diemen: the Amsterdam sandwich
‘Holland Park’ is a popular up-and-coming neighbourhood in Diemen. Image: Depositphotos
Diemen is a town that is literally sandwiched between two districts of Amsterdam: Oost and Zuidoost. Why is it not just a part of the city? Nobody knows. 🤷♀️
Due to its proximity to Amsterdam, Diemen has recently experienced a lot of growth, partly thanks to many large-scale developments. As a result, many families and young professionals flock to the town and settle there, often while working in Amsterdam.
Diemen offers a great escape from the bustling city and some peace and quiet from the weed-smoking, booze-cruising tourists of the city. 😉 Instead, you’ll find plenty of forests and parks that will accommodate you for walks, hikes, and bike rides.
If you do want a taste of Amsterdam nightlife, you’ll be happy to hear that Diemen is incredibly well-connected to the city via public transport services as well as bike lanes. The only thing standing between you and a night out in Amsterdam is your willingness to get off the couch. Proost! 🍻
🏠 Average rent (per square metre): €18.15 in 2022 🔑 Average house cost (per square metre): €5,309 in 2023 🚄 Travel time to Amsterdam Centraal: 10 minutes
The best places to live near Amsterdam are diverse — but they do have two things in common: they’re close to Amsterdam (duh), and well connected to it thanks to the Netherlands’ great public transport network.
When it comes down to it, most Dutch cities and towns are great places to live in (hence why the Dutch are so happy!) — and, of course, you can always move again. 🤷♀️
Which of these places to live near Amsterdam would you move to? Tell us in the comments!
Community compostingis taking off in the Netherlands. So far, its effectiveness in addressing food waste has only been surpassed by its social benefits. And the unsung hero behind it all? Worms.
Worm hotels — if you don’t already know what they are, are not a place for sleepy-eyed worms to check in for the night after a long day of travelling.
Surprisingly, it’s actually the worms that are running the hotel, and your food waste is the guest. 🍎
Your apple cores and eggshells check in for a several-month stay and then leave refreshed and ready for their new life as a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
If that’s news to you, you’ll be very surprised to hear that Amsterdam is full of these slithering food waste retreats.
What are worm hotels?
Worm hotels are everything urban composting should be: easy to use, accessible, compact, and community-oriented.
They bring nature to the city and are rife with opportunities for education and community-building.
Worm hotels offer an optimistic alternative to traditional throw-away culture, proving that household waste can become gardening gold. They’re the hot new project that’s bringing neighbours together all throughout the Netherlands.
A worm hotel located in Amsterdam West. Image: Brin Andrews/Supplied
Worm hotels are composting containers generally about two metres high. They’re each home to several kilos of tiger worms, earthworms, and red dung worms, and food waste from around 1,500 households (in Amsterdam alone!). 🪱
Under the right conditions, they produce rich compost that can be added to any garden. Often, neighbours manage the hotel together, sharing in both the maintenance and rewards.
DutchReview spoke with Arie Machgeels van Ziel, architect and composter from Wormenhotels, for the low-down on the Dutch vermiculture craze. He explained that worm hotels don’t come in just a one-size-fits-all model.
You can find them in all shapes and sizes, but the most common are those supplied by the Amsterdam municipality.
These large, bell-shaped structures that resemble a beehive are made from a durable, natural pressed material called eco-board. They’re designed to be eye-catching and to spark conversation among neighbours.
While these impressive structures are truly something to marvel at, don’t be intimidated — an old plastic bucket works too. What’s important is that the worms can’t escape, and pests can’t get in.
That, and just the right balance of humidity, airflow, carbon matter, darkness, and temperature (between 5 and 25 degrees Celsius). The result of this delicate ambience is a stink-free, pest-free worm utopia.
How did they start in Amsterdam?
Unfortunately, organic waste separation is not yet a standard for waste collection in the Netherlands — massive amounts of compostable material end up in the waste bin every day.
The initiative for worm hotels came from community members and officials in Amsterdam as a way to address this issue.
The hotels caught on quickly, and they have since developed into a city-wide project for the municipality.
Van Ziel says their work references the model from the American book, Community-Scale Composting Systems. It emphasises closing the food system loop and describes around 250 community composting projects in the US.
With this inspiration and his own calculations in mind, he anticipates that within 10 years, all of Amsterdam’s organic waste will be able to be converted into soil — not through worm hotels alone, but also by large-scale city-wide efforts.
No more throwing away your food scraps! Image: Depositphotos
The new city composting model would include large underground collection bins. They’d be similar to those already present for recycling and waste.
Since worms do the work of breaking down the waste, compost only requires one truck to pick up waste, instead of the 70 currently making waste pick-ups every year.
This goal sounds ambitious, but Van Ziel has no doubt it’s possible. He says they may be further behind on neighbourhood worm hotels, but with their larger-scale community composting projects, they will soon “really be able to start making a serious difference.”
Popular demand
Currently, there are an estimated 200 worm hotels speckled throughout Amsterdam. The popularity has grown so immensely that the municipality is having a difficult time keeping up with the demand.
The current waiting list has a queue of around 300 other composting enthusiasts for a new bin. Fortunately, up to 30 households can participate in one hotel, so see if you can join the one nearest you.
And it’s not just Amsterdam and Rotterdam where communities are focused on composting. Other cities are participating as well, with more and more municipal and citizen initiatives popping up throughout the country.
You can find worm hotels in at least 11 other cities throughout the Netherlands, including Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, and Haarlem. If your city doesn’t have one yet, you can put in a request with your municipality.
How exactly do worm hotels work?
Organic waste makes for a sloppy feast. Image: Wormenhotels/Supplied
Local residents stop by, leaving their organic waste at the hotel (the composting container/cabinet/beehive thing). The diligent worms eat, poo, and convert the scraps into vermicompost (worm poo with a touch of fungi, bacteria, and other organic matter).
The compost can be harvested after about four months, but it’s even better if left for at least six. It’s then ready to be mixed with your garden soil or added to your planters.
The municipality offers specific guidelines on just what materials you can and can’t check into your worm hotel.
Can go in:
Uncooked, organic kitchen waste such as peels, vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds, and eggshells
Crushed cardboard, egg cartons, paper kitchen roll
Garden waste
Faeces of small vegetarian pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs
Can’t go in:
Meat
Pasta and bread
Oil or sauce-cooked food
Dog faeces, cat faeces and litter
Bulky garden waste
Cut flowers (flowers from your own garden are allowed)
The kitchen scraps and garden waste should be “optimised” (cut into small pieces), and then go into the bin with the worms, bedding, and living material. The bedding can be a variety of dry materials, like hay, shredded newspaper, sawdust, or dry leaves.
Living material is generally just compost, which contains beneficial micro-organisms like fungi and bacteria. Together, these materials create carbon — an important element in decomposition.
That’s as technical as it gets! Basically, give the worms the right environment, and they’ll take over from there.
What are the benefits?
The environmental benefits are clear and simple: reducing waste and improving soil conditions with organic fertiliser. The social benefits are just as far-reaching.
A recent study on the effectiveness of the worm hotels in Amsterdam shows:
The worm hotels draw positive attention to circular waste flows and sustainable life.
Participants feel more social cohesion in their neighbourhood.
The projects contribute to local employment, including people with a disadvantage in the labour market.
The worm hotels allow the municipality of Amsterdam to gain confidence with regard to organic waste separating (proving that Amsterdammers are willing to separate their waste).
Most importantly, people love them.
Plus, the compost itself is first-rate. A special feature of vermicompost is that the worm castings add valuable life to the soil.
“They’re a feedstock for bacteria, fungi and other invisible creatures,” according to Van Ziel. Regular compost adds nutrients to the soil, whereas worm compost actually helps the plants absorb the nutrients and stimulates the growth process.
Wormhotels are fun for everyone! Image: Wormenhotels/supplied
He’s seen cases where it’s actually doubled or tripled a harvest, compared to regular compost. “It’s all about creating the right balance.”
Van Ziel says a common misconception is that you need to add a lot of compost to your soil. Vermicompost is strong, so it should only make up 5-10% of your soil — that also makes it great for sharing.
How to get involved
If you’re interested in getting involved in an existing worm hotel, check the Amsterdam municipality’s neighbourhood composting map. You’ll be able to locate the bin nearest you and see if there’s space to join.
If you live outside of Amsterdam, wormenhotel.nl has a similar map that covers not only Amsterdam but the entire lowlands. These maps also include the contact information you’ll need to get in touch.
If you’re feeling like doing some handy work, you can even build your own worm hotel. 👇
Van Ziel’s number one tip for new composters: “Just start.”
He says, “People are often afraid of something going wrong, but nature takes care of you in mysterious ways sometimes. If you just pile on your organic waste, it will automatically start decomposing.
It’s a slow process, so you’ll have plenty of time to steer things along the way.” Get started, and you’ll be sucked down the wormhole of urban vermiculture before you know it.
Does getting involved in worm hotels interest you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
The PVV (Party for Freedom) made two statements on Gaza in the House of Representatives yesterday. 1: That there is no famine there and 2: that they are against sending more aid to the affected population.
PVV MP Dennis Ram based his argument that there is no famine in Gaza on “facts” from “scientific experts”.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has stated that there are “famine-like conditions.”
The outgoing cabinet believes much more aid needs to be sent to those in need in Gaza, but, as nu.nl reports, the PVV does not agree.
Coalition parties in disbelief
Shocked by Ram’s statement? You’re not the only one.
NSC member Femke Zeedijk disagreed with the PVV’s “framing that there is no hunger” and believes Ram’s statements went “out of line”.
Kijk dit debat nog eens terug en dan met name de bijdrage van Dennis Ram (PVV) waarin hij domweg beweerde dat er GEEN hongersnood in Gaza is/was. Gelukkig dat de coalitiepartijen VVD & NSC direct afstand namen. Dhr Ram heeft de TV beelden nooit gezien 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Translation: Look back at this debate and especially the contribution by Dennis Ram (PVV) in which he simply claimed that there is/was NO famine in Gaza. Fortunately, the coalition parties VVD & NSC immediately distanced themselves. Mr Ram has never seen the TV images 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
This did not stop Ram, who insists it’s “very bad” that other parties accept that there is famine in Gaza.
But since October, more than 8,000 children under five have been treated for malnutrition, and the “catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions” being faced in Gaza were confirmed by the WHO last week.
So, where exactly he’s getting these “facts” from is a mystery.
PVV against sending aid to Gaza
Ram is also against sending aid to Gaza while, as he understands it, Hamas is present and Israeli hostages are held there.
As well as denying further aid, the PVV is against sending further money to the UNRWA (the UN organisation for Palestinian refugees).
This is because of accusations made by Israel that UNRWA employees allegedly support the attack on Israel by Hamas.
Previously, the Netherlands sent an annual contribution of €19 million to UNRWA, with a further €3 million reserved.
However, these contributions have been suspended since January until there is clarity about the accusations.
A turn in Dutch politics
Given the fact that the PVV’s future Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aid was once a member of the Zwarte Pieten Journaal (it’s as bad as it sounds), perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised by Ram’s claims.
Add to this the knowledge that the future Minister of Asylum and Migration believes in the theory of repopulation, and you can see why Ram was so comfortable making these claims.
How do you feel about MP Dennis Ram’s statements on Gaza? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
No sudden movements people, we don’t want to scare it away, but it looks like summer weather is finally approaching the Netherlands.
But listen, you’re going to have to be patient and endure just one (or two) more thunder showers before then.
Yes, there will be thunder and rain
We know, your shoes haven’t known what it’s like to be truly dry in a while.
However, Weeronline predicts that you’re only going to have to endure thunder showers for the next few days, with showers expected in several places on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Throughout next week, temperatures are forecast to climb to as high as 25 degrees in some places, with plenty of sunshine to match. 😎
And that’s not all, meteorologists are using their crystal ball (and degrees) to predict that July will be off to a good start with warm temperatures and summer weather expected.
