Erdogan and his weird strategy in the Netherlands

Amira al-Sharif

All data and evidence still indicate the involvement of Turkish President Recep Erdogan in spreading terrorism and extremism in all Arab and European countries.

A Dutch intelligence document has recently revealed a link between Erdogan and the rise of extremists in the Netherlands.

The National Coordinator for Combating Terrorism in the Netherlands (NCTV) said in a report that is still confident that Erdogan wants to Islamize the Netherlands through Turkish-Dutch associations.

It added in the 30-page report that Turkish religious organizations enjoy strong relations with Turkish organizations in the Netherlands, especially with Turkish-Dutch youth organizations.

These groups in turn interact with preachers and on social media where they glorify extremists and exchange anti-Western as well as anti-Semitic messages.

Under the title, “Erdogan’s Islamization Strategy: How Hard-liners Benefit,” the document says the Turkish president has provided space for militants in Turkey, as he has strengthened his political power over time.

The report adds that the Turks living abroad were affected by Erdogan’s directives.

It notes that Erdogan’s supporters, who are many in the Netherlands, have relations with Turkish institutions there, and therefore these institutions can affect the social and political stability in the Netherlands.

The report also discusses relations between Erdogan’s positions and the Utrecht tram attack in 2019.

It says Erdogan’s use of the excuse of shooting “Christchurch” in New Zealand by a white fanatic and anti-Western public rhetoric played a role in inciting Gokmen Tanish to launch the attack in the Netherlands.