Violent jihad in the Netherlands

Violent Jihad in the Netherlands charts the phenomenon of Dutch-based jihadist networks which represent the terrorist threat currently confronting us. The paper provides insight into the emergence of these networks and their development over the past few years. The most important trend observed by the AIVD is the fact that the jihadist threat is increasingly rooted in our own society. The principal causes are the processes of radicalisation and recruitment among young Muslims. In addition to peer pressure, the internet plays an increasingly important role.

In this paper the perception of Al-Qaeda as a strategic mastermind controlling jihadist networks and plotting attacks worldwide is put into perspective. It happens frequently that decentralised networks act on their own initiative, often spurred on by local circumstances. At present the most serious threat to the Netherlands appears to emanate from these local jihadist networks rooted in their own breeding ground. National government bodies and local authorities should adapt their policies accordingly. The principles of a broad approach focused on failing integration, radicalism, recruitment and terrorism as interlinked elements of the aforementioned phenomenon - as set out in the paper From Dawa to Jihad - remain the guiding principles for this policy. It has led to a broad, wide-ranging approach to counterterrorism in the Netherlands, in which various government bodies are involved. Their efforts focus on both measures to prevent radicalisation and on repression of terrorist networks and individuals. At national level, the National Co-ordinator for Counterterrorism plays an initiating and co-ordinating role with respect to these efforts. At local level, several major city councils have now begun to implement this broad approach.

The recent international furore over the Prophet Mohammed cartoons published in a Danish newspaper has shown that the threat assessment in the Netherlands is determined partly by current international issues. The fact that there are also contacts between local and international jihadist networks and that new contacts continue to be established makes the world of violent jihad a complex and dynamic phenomenon. It illustrates that the threat to Europe, including the Netherlands, from abroad is real and ongoing. In order to counter this threat, effective international co-operation is vital.

Radicalisation processes do not merely exacerbate the jihadist threat in the short term, they also jeopardise social cohesion and solidarity and in the long term threaten the democratic order. A firm counter-terrorism policy should therefore be concomitant with stimulation of integration processes and mobilisation among the Islamic community to resist radicalisation. It will, however, require a considerable length of time before the collective efforts of government and society are able to prove an effective counterbalance to the lure of the extremist utopian creed to which a growing number of young Muslims in our society have proven themselves susceptible. This creed is incompatible with the desired democratic order in the Netherlands.

S.J. van Hulst