‘Do not import bitterness and hatred into our streets’

In this year’s Christmas speech, King Willem-Alexander extensively discussed the tensions in society. “Many people feel misunderstood, unwanted, unprotected.” He appealed not to lose each other – despite all the differences of opinion.

The king recognized that we cannot solve international conflicts as individuals. “But does that make us powerless? No, certainly not! What we can do is ensure that we do not import bitterness and hatred into our streets. Be resilient to everything that drives us apart.”

No matter how different people’s backgrounds are, we all share “recognizable emotions,” the king said. He cited anger about injustice, sadness about the loss of loved ones and concern about children as examples. “In all our differences of opinion, let us also look for the human element that brings us together.”

In his speech, the king directly addressed various groups in society: Jewish Dutch and Dutch Muslims. “To Jewish Dutch people who tell me that they doubt their future here, I say: stay! We belong together. To Dutch Muslims I say: this is also your country; this is also your country.”

Willem-Alexander also referred to a conversation he and Queen Máxima had with Palestinian Dutch people. “They told us about their fear about the fate of family members in their country of origin. About their powerlessness and despair. I am always touched by the personal pain that resonates in the stories.”

The king was not only understanding, but also strict. For example, he emphasized compliance with the Dutch constitution. “Every person is equal before the law. Discrimination is not permitted. And we do not use violence, even if we feel hurt or misunderstood. These principles are not open to dialogue or discussion and apply to everyone, always.”

It was Willem-Alexander’s twelfth Christmas speech. The speech was recorded a few days ago in the White Dining Hall at Huis ten Bosch Palace.

Polarization was also the main theme of the Christmas speech last year. The king then emphasized the importance of the democratic legal order and opposed the culture of settlement. According to him, this makes finding solutions difficult. “If we would just focus our energy on finding solutions, we would go much further.”

Watch the full speech here: