Dutch coalition survives crisis over top official resignation decrying offensive comments

Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government dominated by hard-right leader Geert Wilders looked survive a government crisis that centered on the resignation of the finance state secretary over what she saw as denigrating comments on immigrants after Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in Amsterdam. Wilders blamed Moroccans for attacks on Israeli soccer fans, claiming that “we saw Muslims hunting Jews” and added it was fueled by ”Moroccans who want to destroy Jews.” He said those convicted of involvement should be deported if they have dual nationality. Morocco-born Nora Achahbar announced her resignation as finance secretary late Friday and said that “the polarizing manners have had such an impact on me that I could, or would, no longer fulfill my role as state secretary.”