Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, a year and a half ago I asked for an urgent debate on the anti-Semitic riots and the Jewish hunt in Amsterdam. Europe was silent. Today we are here again. Explosions at synagogues and Jewish schools in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Liège. In France, 57% of anti-religious attacks are directed against Jews, which make up less than 1% of the population. Two Jewish men were stabbed in London. They are cowardly terrorist attacks by Islamists. The suspects are in custody, but the anti-Semitic poison is not gone. This is not an incident. This is a pattern. Jews in Europe no longer dare to wear a kippah. 76% hide their identity and are afraid of big cities. Europe, wake up! We have to say: Zero tolerance for antisemitism in the EU. Effectively implement the strategy against antisemitism and require a coordinator against antisemitism in each Member State, not only at the level of the European Union, but in each individual Member State. There are still Member States without coordinators. No more excuses, no more relativity. Never again.

Mr President, Commissioner, while the war in Iran is causing energy prices to explode and artificial fertilizers to stop, our farmers are standing empty-handed on the fields and ships are standing still. What does Mrs. von der Leyen do? She only talks about transition, about stopping fossil fuels and about subsidized windmills that will only run in ten years. This is not a policy, not a solution. This is waiting. Monitors. Weekend to weekend. You have opposed nuclear energy, natural gas and animal manure for years. Enough! Now review EU legislation. Now produce gas and nuclear power yourself and let our farmers grow. The Nitrates Directive threatens to undermine our food security, while meadows and fields cry out for animal manure, not for bans. Geopolitical resilience is not a green utopia, but food on the plate and warmth in the homes of our citizens, today and next autumn. Not until ten years from now.

Mr President, this multi-annual budget evokes mixed feelings: a 10% growth and the call for new EU taxes are extremely difficult for the Netherlands, as the largest net contributor, to digest. The Coronavirus Recovery Fund was inefficient and caused a debt burden of almost one-tenth of the EU budget. That's not an example, that's a warning. National powers such as abortion are not an EU competence. No European taxpayers' money for matters that violate the Treaty and subsidiarity! Let's cut into left-liberal hobbies, freeing up money for border surveillance, defence, innovation funds. Nevertheless, I commend the co-rapporteurs. Like us, you opt for earmarked budgets for agriculture, rural development and fisheries. Not renationalisation, but a strong common agricultural and fisheries policy. Crucial for a level playing field. Farmers and fishermen suffer immensely from financial uncertainty and regulatory burdens. Enough is enough! Hands off our farmers, gardeners and fishermen! Resilience starts with food security. That must be the message of this Parliament.

Mr President, fuel and energy prices are exploding. Our fishermen and farmers stand with their backs against the wall. The EU needs to do more and fast. But especially the Dutch minority cabinet is failing completely. While other countries do take support measures for their fishing fleet and companies, The Hague opts for silence, waiting. The European Commission must now ensure that there is no uneven playing field, so that Dutch fishermen and companies do not suffer from their own slow government. I call on the Commission and the Council to come up with European and coordinated national support measures, including for the suspended fishing fleet. Consider suspending the ETS, embrace the ETS ‑ revision. Make it fundamental and increase the free allowances for the preservation of our industry. Don't forget the impending fertilizer crisis. Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz caused shortages of expensive fertilizer. Now urgently review the Nitrates Directive. Give farmers more space for animal manure so that they can still sow their grassland and fields. Food security cannot wait any longer. Environment Commissioner Roswall, get to work today.

Yes, that is bizarre, because the previous cabinet did not sit during the biggest energy crisis ever for which Shell and the International Energy Agency warn. They are indeed asking for targeted measures and those targeted measures are not taking place. The fishing fleet in the Netherlands is on the side, ashore. So come up with targeted measures. I am not talking about specific generic measures at all. They cannot fail to do so, because this creates an uneven playing field in Europe. You have rightly said so. But are you going to come up with targeted support for the fishing fleet? It's on the sidelines. Will you come forward with support for farmers if food security is threatened? It has just been said here: our food sovereignty is also at stake.

Mr. Gerbrandy, it's actually bizarre. You are talking about European action here, but your cabinet is on its hands. There is no action in this crisis. Helping fishermen, households and businesses in a targeted way: it's not going to happen. What's causing that? There is a threat of an uneven playing field in the European Union, and that is due to the delay, the waiting of your own government. So I would say: get to work in your own party, with your coalition partners in the minority cabinet and come up with support measures in this impending crisis. The gas reserves are empty, nuclear energy has been blocked for years. We are facing a huge crisis. My question to you is: what kind of action do you propose?

Mr President, High Representative, the future of Greenland lies not in the cold grip of great powers, but in the warm hands of the local people. As leader of the delegation of the Committee on Fisheries, I heard the beating heart of Nuuk during the September mission. The Greenlanders long for cooperation with the US, Denmark and the European Union in accordance with the robust fisheries agreement. It is therefore a disgrace and an affront to the free world that the current US approach to Greenland shakes the foundations of the NATO security architecture. I would therefore like to ask Republican congressmen and senators to stand up and take responsibility. Let's find ways out in dialogue, not division. The real existential threat, of course, does not lie with our allies in Washington, but with tyrants elsewhere. Let us show solidarity with Greenland and Denmark through the NATO mission. Should the crisis escalate and dialogue fail, the European Union should not hesitate to use the anti-coercion mechanism in extreme need.

Mr President, rapporteur, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the Convention on Biological Diversity is an important step in the protection of marine biodiversity beyond national borders. No one disputes the need for this, but if we are to transpose this treaty into European law, we must do so with legal care and with respect for our fishermen and food security. The high seas are not only a nature reserve, but also a source of food. Pelagic fisheries deliver sustainably and with knowledge of nature. Our fishermen know how to preserve biodiversity and at the same time harvest responsibly. That is why I remain afraid of an uneven playing field if Member States make different protection proposals for areas. The Commission should act in cooperation with Member States and fishermen. Don't roll over it. Subsidiarity. Let's not forget about innovation either. New selective fishing techniques can contribute to better ecosystem management. Protect the sea, yes, but also preserve the humanity that has been eating and living sustainably from it for generations.

Colleague, you said that this MFF proposal strengthens the European future and social character, but in the meantime there is a considerable cut in agricultural support for family farms and in the fisheries fund, also in this revised proposal. How can you claim that this MFF will then contribute to the vulnerable in the EU, if it is so permanently short-lived for farmers and fishermen, and thus does not pay sufficient attention to our food security?

Mr President, Commissioner, today we commemorate the horrors of 7 October 2023: 1 200 innocent Israelis massacred. A bloody pogrom by Hamas. Those who thought anti-Semitism and pogroms were a thing of the past were deceived. After the terrorist act, the old poison was given new oxygen. Blood lies and dehumanisation of Jewish fellow citizens resounded on European streets and media outlets. An attack on a synagogue in Manchester, a gardener who refuses to work for Jews, exclusion from competitions, a Jewish hunt in Amsterdam and today my party leader, Caroline van der Plas, cannot speak at the University of Nijmegen because of extremists who threaten politicians who stand up for Jewish citizens, so-called Zionists. (NL) Mr President, there are political parties here that consciously sympathise with the Muslim Brotherhood on the waves of indignation about war, but in reality revitalise the old anti-Semitism, packaged as anti-Zionism. Who shouts about genocide by Zionists, potentially feeds the blood lie. That is not solidarity, but the poison for social peace. That's why we have to draw boundaries. A yellow line: Let the Israeli hostages go. A red line: Rejection of all anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism does not begin with a pogrom, but with words, with looking away. Let us not remain silent, but stand firm like the people who formed a protective circle around a besieged synagogue in Munich. No more anti-Semitic hatred in our street, no more silence in this house, no more anti-Semitism is not yesterday. Never again is now.

Of course I have read the document, and we should not make international law into a political instrument, as you do, because, as you know, we have seen acts, as I have said: food deliveries, evacuation of Gazan children through Eilat to Italy. That's what Israel is doing as well. And genocide requires genocidal intent to be proven. So you think that evacuating Palestinian children to Italy for treatment can be reconciled with having a genocidal intent? Then you make a laugh, then you are really insulting the victims of real genocides like the Armenian Genocide and the Shoah.

This is the typical left-wing extremist discourse. If a few scientists launch a claim, that is not yet a scientific consensus. There is no international consensus, there is no ruling of the International Court of Justice on this. And again, why don't you talk about Sudan? I do not hear anyone talking about the 150 000 deaths in Sudan, the 11 million displaced people and the 26 million people in acute need of food. To you it seems: No Jews, no news.

Mr President, high representative, Commissioner, colleagues, war is horrific. War crimes against journalists, mosques, churches and aid workers are unacceptable. Yet a ruthless counter-guerrilla against terrorists who abuse civilians as human shields does not yet make genocide. We must not erode international law. Where is your proof of genocidal intent? Israel supplies food and has sick children evacuated through Eilat. Anyone who continues to shout genocide is guilty of blood libel and filthy anti-Semitism. Such rhetoric, fueled by the Muslim Brotherhood, sets our streets and society on fire. Hamas, which carried out a bloody pogrom on October 7, deliberately called this war on Gaza. Their plan: Killing civilians for political gain. And you reward them with the premature recognition of Palestine. The EU should embrace the Arab League’s peace plans: Hamas must be eliminated and disarmed, surrender and release all hostages. Reconstruction of Gaza must take place without expulsion of civilians. Let's learn from the Emirates and build peace.

Mr President, the suicide bombing of the Mar Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Damascus killing 25 innocent worshippers and wounding over 60 is a vile act of terror which must be condemned with the strongest possible words. Religious minorities in Syria – Syriac, Aramean, Armenian, Chaldean Christians, Alawites and Yazidis – face increasing violence and existential threats to their ancient identity and heritage, including the Aramaic language and culture as preserved in places like Maaloula, are vanishing before our eyes. Let us not forget, the See of Antioch and the biblical city of Damascus are among Christianity's first cradles. Let me be very clear: there must be no more EU funds for the new Islamist‑led Syrian transitional authorities without firm guarantees for the full protection of Christians and all religious and ethnic minorities. And yes, the lifted sanctions can be reinstated in case of non‑compliance, as rightly secured by the Dutch Government. Freedom of religion is non-negotiable. The Mar Elias bloodbath should be a wake‑up call to stop our silence. Save the minorities of Syria!

Mr President, the suicide bombing of the Mar Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Damascus killing 25 innocent worshippers and wounding over 60 is a vile act of terror which must be condemned with the strongest possible words. Religious minorities in Syria – Syriac, Aramean, Armenian, Chaldean Christians, Alawites and Yazidis – face increasing violence and existential threats to their ancient identity and heritage, including the Aramaic language and culture as preserved in places like Maaloula, are vanishing before our eyes. Let us not forget, the See of Antioch and the biblical city of Damascus are among Christianity's first cradles. Let me be very clear: there must be no more EU funds for the new Islamist‑led Syrian transitional authorities without firm guarantees for the full protection of Christians and all religious and ethnic minorities. And yes, the lifted sanctions can be reinstated in case of non‑compliance, as rightly secured by the Dutch Government. Freedom of religion is non-negotiable. The Mar Elias bloodbath should be a wake‑up call to stop our silence. Save the minorities of Syria!

Mr President, Commissioner, it is not only the ocean that is at a crossroads: The same is true of our fisheries. The Ocean Pact should recognise fisheries and aquaculture as cornerstones of the blue economy. These sectors are essential for food security, food sovereignty and the resilience of the European Union. We must ensure that fishing is not further displaced by offshore wind energy. Fair maritime spatial planning is crucial to maintain access to traditional fishing grounds. Sufficient funding for innovation and modernisation of ships is essential for energy-efficient, low-emission vessels and the sustainable transition to AI-supported and selective fishing gear in a technology-neutral manner. I would like to inform my colleagues about this. Also for modern ships of family companies of more than 24 meters. Good words alone are not enough. We need concrete action to ensure that our fishermen survive in our coastal regions, of which they are the beating social and societal heart.

Water is life. Freshwater storage and flood prevention are indispensable. But nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are also vital as building blocks of plants. Europe depends on imports from mining and CO2-intensive production. Farmers want to use these nutrients more sparingly; they want to improve crop uptake and prevent further leaching by closing cycles. However, the current strategy for water resilience mentions filtering techniques and recovery from urban wastewater, but leaves natural animal manure undiscussed, while this pure brown gold offers much more opportunities. Colleagues, therefore support the proposals of the Committee on Agriculture, embrace animal manure and green fertilizer substitutes to prevent leaching, CO2 capturing in grassland, producing biogas for sustainable energy independence and unnecessary CO2-avoid emissions. The EU has been refusing to recognise RENURE for too long. Colleagues, we show the shared interests of farmers, citizens, water quality and climate. We have brown gold in our hands.

Mr President, Commissioner, 110 years ago the Armenian genocide took place. 1.5 million Armenians were murdered because of their identity and faith. Also Arameans, Pontic Greeks, Chaldeans. This is not a completed past tense. Even today, Christians, Alawites, Yazidis and other minorities in the Middle East are being expelled and massacred. In Nagorno-Karabakh, as in recent years, Armenian Christian heritage is still being systematically destroyed. After 1915, the world was silent. Perpetrators remained unpunished and new genocides followed. Right, here in Europe too. "Never again" is an assignment, not a slogan. The EU must protect minorities and condemn persecution more actively. This starts with recognition of the genocide by all Member States and by Turkey. Without recognition there is no justice, without justice there is no peace and no reconciliation. "Never again" is now.

Mr President, Commissioner, thousands of alawites have been murdered by jihadist militias linked to the new rulers in Syria. Women and children have been driven into the mountains. Whole families have been massacred, including Christians. Yet the European Union is inviting this new Syrian regime on Monday as if nothing had happened. That, like the European foreign diplomatic service's press statement last weekend, is outrageous. While we invite those responsible, Russia can present itself as a humanitarian shelter at its Khmeimim military base. This is a morally bankrupt policy. A new flow of refugees is imminent. As long as the Islamist rulers in Damascus do not stop this sectarian and genocidal violence against non-Sunnis and do not punish perpetrators, no sanctions should be lifted, nor donations made. Europe must not engage in cynical politics that sacrifices Alawites, Shiites, Armenians, Aramean Christians, Kurds, Druze and Yazidis.

Mr President, Commissioner, the Commission is finally acknowledging the problems of our ailing industry. However, the Clean Industrial Deal should not become a clean out deal for our industry. Highly innovative plans, but without pragmatic solutions in these unconventional times. A 90% CO2-A 2040 reduction target of €1 600 billion per year is not green growth, it is economic self-destruction. European energy prices will not fall in this way, but will rise further. Europe's industrial backbone, of our family businesses is bent under bureaucratic and price ballast. Mr President, technology neutrality. The combustion engine deserves restoration. It is time for a fundamental review of the Green Deal. It is not the reality that needs to adapt to Brussels, but Brussels needs to adapt to the changed reality.

Mr President, Europe is finally regaining some control over its borders. Stricter return options and the option of deportation centres outside the EU are steps in the right direction. But let's be honest: This is just the beginning. It still deserves tightening up. What we need is a decisive and effective return system that does not slow down, but actually ensures return. This means better cooperation with countries of origin. Anyone who refuses to cooperate on return should feel that in their wallet. Mandatory recognition of return decisions by all EU countries. This should not be a no-obligation, but should be a hard deal. Legally unambiguous regulation of asylum reception in safe third countries. That debate has been going on for too long, while other countries are showing that it works. Commissioner, I wish you every success. Setting boundaries is essential to maintaining support.

Mr President, it is positive that the Commission is finally slowly recognizing that the Green Deal has pushed us through some elements, that there has been too much regulatory burden and that our competitiveness is suffering from this. But let us not forget that this proposal can only be a first step. It has just been emphasised by other colleagues that we need to move forward. We'll have to reconsider. We need a revision of the Nature Restoration Regulation and not only of the CSRD, but also of other legislation that hinders our farmers, gardeners, fishermen, but above all our SMEs. I therefore call on the Commission to show greater ambition in the coming period. This is a very good proposal, but it does not go far enough. You are on a better path. As we say in the Netherlands: Better half-turned than completely lost. I wish you every success.