Herzog's visit to Holocaust Museum sparks protests

Israeli President Isaac Herzog's presence at the opening of a Holocaust museum sparked protests over the country's military operations in Gaza.

He attended the opening ceremony of the National Holocaust Museum, in the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam, on Sunday.

Demonstrators threw fireworks and eggs at riot police in protest of his visit, Dutch media outlet De Telegraaf said.

In a speech, Mr Herzog said the museum would "remember the horrors born of hatred, anti-Semitism and racism".

"Unfortunately never again is now, right now. Because right now, hatred and antisemitism are flourishing worldwide and we must fight it together," he said.

The president also called for the "immediate and safe return" of hostages taken by Hamas in the 7 October attacks.

Disruption was caused during his visit as hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the museum,

Some people were pictured waving Palestinian flags and banners, while members of Jewish groups were also seen with Israeli flags as they called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages.

De Telegraaf reported some demonstrators climbed onto police vans parked as a barrier, and riot police beat them away with batons as they started to throw fireworks and eggs.

The museum said it had invited Mr Herzog before the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, which lead to Israel's offensive in Gaza.

In a statement. it also recognised Mr Herzog's attendance raised questions but added he represented the homeland of Dutch Holocaust survivors who emigrated to Israel.

Also in attendance at the opening ceremony were Dutch King Willem-Alexander, Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the president of the German Federal Council, Manuela Schwesig.

They were met with booing from the crowds as they arrived at the museum.

"This museum shows us what devastating consequences antisemitism can have," the king said in speech to Dutch Holocaust survivors at a gathering at a nearby synagogue.

The Holocaust Museum will open to the public on Monday to mark almost 80 years since World War II ended and will display 2,500 objects that have not been seen in public before.

Before the Nazi occupation, the Netherlands was home to a huge Jewish community of around 140,000 people.

However, it was estimated that 75% - 102,000 people - had been murdered during the Holocaust.