Why Israel Will Always Be My Home
My love for Israel is not a passing feeling, it is part of who I am. Growing up in the Netherlands with Jewish roots, Israel became central to my identity long before I fully understood the world around me. My father’s family fled Poland, escaping persecution and finding temporary refuge in the Czech Republic before some settled in the Netherlands around 1900. My mother’s side is a deeper mystery, partly shaped by the heroic resistance work my grandfather undertook during World War II. When my family lived in the Middle East, my parents voluntarily assisted Israeli intelligence, traveling freely with the “white card.” Experiences like these embedded Israel in my heart from childhood, making it my first priority and shaping my life’s purpose.
Israel has often seen the Netherlands as an ally, perhaps naively. But history shows a different reality. During World War II, the majority of Dutch citizens neither actively resisted nor protected Jews, they looked away, stayed silent, or, in many cases, actively collaborated with the Nazis. Let’s examine the numbers:
- Active resistance fighters (strict definition): ~45,000 (0.5–0.6%)
- Broader resistance / supporters: ~400,000 (5%)
- People investigated for collaboration: ~425,000 (5%)
- Total population at the time: ~8 million
Even accounting for children, more than half of the population simply did not choose a side. To imagine that the Netherlands would naturally support Israel is, historically speaking, a misconception. The idealized image of Dutch support crumbles when the truth of widespread silence and complicity is recognized.
Unfortunately, this reality continues in subtle forms today, often disguised as anti-Zionism but fueled by classic antisemitism. After October 7, 2023, the latent hostility erupted openly, revealing itself across Dutch society in ways that have been both shocking and deeply personal for me.
Walking in Amsterdam, for example, has become a nightmare. People who recognize me from weekly Israel support actions hurl curses at me in the street. While I refuse to hide my Star of David necklace, others feel compelled to conceal their Jewish identity out of fear. The climate is hostile not just socially but professionally. I lost my job simply for stating that Israel is my favorite vacation destination, a remark made in a November 3, 2023, conversation. While searching for new opportunities, recruiters demanded that I delete my LinkedIn company page, which at the time had 90,000 followers. My refusal effectively eliminated most job prospects.
Threats escalated further: eggs thrown at my windows, a dead pigeon left at my doorstep, explicit threats to gas me, and social media attacks. LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, ran campaigns suppressing pro-Israel voices while allowing blatant Nazi rhetoric and fabricated narratives about Israel to go unpunished. The psychological toll has been immense, leading to battles with depression and an ongoing sense of alienation in my own country.
These experiences are not isolated. Dutch antisemitism has a long and disturbing history.
In 2024, the progrom after the “Maccabi-Ajax” football match revealed how violence against Jews could erupt in a seemingly ordinary social setting. Also recently, the opening of the Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam was met with such hostility from certain groups that Jewish visitors, holocaust survivors, reported intimidation and verbal abuse, proof that antisemitism is far from a relic of the past. What is disguised as “critique of Israel” often mirrors centuries-old prejudice and hatred.
Despite all this, my commitment to Israel has only grown stronger. These years have clarified my mission: I want to dedicate my life to Israel, to work for its security, growth, and prosperity. I began the process of making Aliyah, eager to contribute fully to the country I love. Yet bureaucracy and rigid regulations, including the refusal of the Jewish Agency to consider special circumstances, have blocked my path. I am not religious, and I refuse to convert for the wrong reasons, but even with indirect proof of my Jewish roots, doors remain closed. Letters to Israeli officials, including the president and prime minister, have yielded no response. This frustration is painful, but it has not weakened my commitment. If anything, it strengthens my resolve to find any way to serve Israel.
Israel is my priority, above all else, beyond politics, beyond religion, beyond personal comfort. I believe that my contributions can be meaningful, that my dedication can make a difference. I am convinced that Israel’s survival depends not on distant sympathizers or naive assumptions about historical allies, but on those who truly stand with her, who act decisively and without hesitation.
The Dutch experience has taught me hard lessons about the fragility of moral courage. Yet it also highlights why Israel must remain strong, independent, and vigilant. History, as well as contemporary society, has shown that when the world looks away or hides behind political correctness, Israel is on its own. My personal journey, facing threats, discrimination, and bureaucratic barriers, reflects the ongoing challenge for Jews everywhere: to remain steadfast and proud, even in environments where antisemitism thrives under the guise of criticism.
This is why Israel will always be my home, my focus, and my mission. My roots are in the Netherlands, but my heart, my loyalty, and my efforts belong to Israel. No hatred, no discrimination, no bureaucratic obstacle can change that.
Israel is more than a country, it is a cause, a responsibility, and a lifelong commitment. For me, living and working for Israel is not a dream; it is a moral imperative, a deeply personal mission forged from history, family, and experience. I carry the lessons of the past, the realities of the present, and the hope for the future in every action I take.
Time To Stand Up for Israel
Time To Stand Up for Israel is an independent foundation dedicated to fighting misinformation, countering antisemitism, and providing clear, fact-based education about Israel. We do not engage in internal Israeli politics. We stand on two core principles: Israel has the right to exist. Israel has the duty to defend itself. Support our work: Donate and/or subscribe at: www.timetostandupforisrael.com
CEO of Time to Stand Up for Israel, a nonprofit organization with a powerful mission: to support Israel and amplify its voice around the world. With over 200,000 followers across various social media platforms, our community is united by a shared love for Israel and a deep commitment to her future.
My journey as an advocate for Israel began early. When I was 11 years old, my father was deployed to the Middle East through his work with UNTSO. I had the unique experience of living in both Syria and Israel, and from a young age, I witnessed firsthand the contrast in cultures and realities. That experience shaped me profoundly.
Returning to the Netherlands, I quickly became aware of the growing wave of anti-Israel sentiment — and I knew I had to speak out. Ever since, I’ve been a fierce and unapologetic supporter of Israel. I’m not religious, but my belief is clear and unwavering: Israel has the right to exist, and Israel has the duty to defend herself.
My passion is rooted in truth, love, and justice. I’m a true Zionist at heart.
From my first breath to my last, I will stand up for Israel.