THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Leaders from the coalition parties in the Dutch government, which is under the influence of far-right figure Geert Wilders, convened for urgent discussions on Friday. This gathering followed news of a potential resignation by the finance state secretary, who reportedly found offensive remarks about immigrants in the wake of violence that targeted Israeli soccer fans after a match in Amsterdam.

Wilders, during a statement last Wednesday, attributed the violence against Israeli soccer supporters to Moroccan individuals, asserting that “we observed Muslims hunting Jews” and suggested that these actions were incited by “Moroccans who aim to annihilate Jews.” He advocated for the deportation of those implicated in the attacks if they possessed dual citizenship.

Reports from Dutch media indicated that Nora Achahbar, a finance secretary hailing from the Moroccan background and representing the centrist New Social Contract party, intended to declare her resignation later that Friday, although this information had not been independently verified at that time.

While political leaders condemned antisemitism and expressed the need for strict legal repercussions for those involved in the violence, opposition figures accused Wilders of exacerbating tensions. His party emerged as the largest in the elections held last year, and his remarks have reportedly caused rifts within the four-party coalition government.

As discussions unfolded, images and videos surfaced showing party leaders arriving at the Catshuis, the official residence of Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Frans Timmermans, the leader of the Green-left-Socialist opposition, praised Achahbar in anticipation of her announcement. He remarked, “In this government, racist comments have become commonplace. This administration does not represent all Dutch citizens.”

The unrest in the Dutch capital flared both before and after a recent soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, with fans from both clubs engaging in violent altercations. Supporters of Maccabi were reported to have shouted anti-Arab chants and removed a Palestinian flag from a building, while other individuals conducted “hit and run” assaults on Maccabi fans and people perceived to be Jews, based on a detailed account regarding the violence released by authorities in Amsterdam.