Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., January 27, 2009 Shvat 2, 5769 | | Israel Time: 05:44 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 11:49 23/01/2009
Dutch MP behind film on radical Islam: Decision to prosecute me is political
By Cnaan Liphshitz, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Islam, Fitna, Israel News 

Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, the director of a controversial film on radical Islam, says the decision by the Amsterdam Court of Appeals on Wednesday to prosecute him for allegedly inciting hatred against Muslims was strictly political.

"It puts hundreds of thousands of Dutchmen on trial for opposing Islam's violent messages," the MP told Haaretz on Thursday.

Wilders, a controversial rightist politician and head of the Netherlands' Party for Freedom, will be prosecuted for the alleged offense - which he denies - with connection to a short film he made last year linking the Koran to violence against Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Advertisement
The 14-minute film, which turned the already-famous Wilders into an internationally known figure, mostly features archive footage of hate speeches by Muslim clerics, one of whom was calling for the "beheading of all Jews."

The film, which aims to present "the violent nature of Islam," as Wilders defines it, also urges Muslims to "tear out" violent passages from the Koran and equates fanatical Islam to Nazism.

In the interview on Thursday, Wilders maintained that his film, entitled Fitna, is within the boundaries of Dutch law and freedom of expression. "I consulted numerous legal authorities before releasing the film," he stressed.

He added: "Things are not looking good for me. In its 33-page ruling ordering my prosecution, the appeals court already determined I was guilty. Now the case will be reviewed by a lower court and there's every chance the judge will align his ruling with the appeals courts."

Later in the conversation he said: "I hope this thing doesn't end behind bars." As Wilders has not yet been charged, the maximum penalty for the alleged transgressions remains unclear.

If wilders appeals a future conviction, his appeal will be heard before the same court which ordered his prosecution.

Before the Court of Appeals ordered to prosecute Wilders, Amsterdam's chief public prosecutor, Leo de Wit, said last month that no case will be brought against Wilders in the Netherlands.

But Wilders, whose party holds nine seats in parliament, is also being prosecuted in absentia in Jordan for "blasphemy and contempt of Muslims" because of the film.

During a visit last month to Jerusalem for an international anti-Jihad conference, Wilders spoke about the charges pending against him back home. "Luckily, the Dutch legal system is different to Jordan's," he told Haaretz then. On Thursday, he ironically noted that "the Jordanians can now be satisfied with themselves."

The trial, which sets the stage for a high-profile affair likely to expose changing attitudes towards Islam in Europe, is also expected to center around public comparisons which Wilders drew in Dutch media between the Koran and Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.

Related articles:
  • 'There is no moderate Islam,' says far-right Dutch legislator Geert Wilders
  • Director of controversial film on Islam to speak in Jerusalem
  • Dutch Jews louder than Muslims in condemning 'Fitna' film
  • Dutch Jewish group: Anti-Islam film is 'counterproductive'
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Venezuela's Jews
    Jewish community head: 'Chavez's government endorses anti-Semitism.'
    Breakthrough start-up
    WATCH: Israeli company invents radiation-free lung imaging system.
      1.   Wilders 10:45  |  Sharon 23/01/09
      2.   Freedom of speech? Not in Europe? 10:54  |  17 23/01/09
      3.   If this is just real speeches by muslim preachers then 11:05  |  jo 23/01/09
      4.   The movie by islam. 11:26  |  Uzi 23/01/09
      5.   Muslims Convict Themselves 11:49  |  Ben Israel 23/01/09
      6.   Nobody is above the law 11:50  |  Jan 23/01/09
      7.   Decision to prosecute Wilders is political terror 11:53  |  Joseph.E 23/01/09
      8.   To # 1 ----- 17 at nyc 12:05  |  Joseph.E 23/01/09
      9.   real freedom of speech 12:10  |  Traude 23/01/09
      10.   Political? 12:19  |  Angel 23/01/09
      11.   Defending our freedom 12:26  |  Erik den Hertog 23/01/09
      12.   The Koran. Convivial variations on a cautionary theme. 12:59  |  Egon B.E. Friberger 23/01/09
      13.   Very wrong decision and indeed political 13:28  |  Mark B. 23/01/09
      14.   Ban radical muslims, not Wilder 13:30  |  Dan 23/01/09
      15.   Whats the difference between inciting hatred against Muslims.... 13:33  |  Swiss (Dino) 23/01/09
      16.   # 10 Angel re Political? 14:48  |  Traude 23/01/09
      17.   Congrats Haaretz 15:15  |  Woody 23/01/09
      18.   # 16 Traude - Hebrews in Canaan 15:25  |  17 23/01/09
      19.   Why is it a crime to deny the Holocaust? 15:33  |  Simon 23/01/09
      20.   fascism allways comes in a new appearance: 15:35  |  Boris 23/01/09
      21.   Remember Julius Streicher 15:36  |  Bob 23/01/09
      22.   To: Traude 15:49  |  Angel 23/01/09
      23.   To: Swiss Dino 16:02  |  Angel 23/01/09
      24.   It is OK in Holland to scream - "Hamas, Hamas, all Jews to gas" 16:05  |  Boris 23/01/09
      25.   Islam wins 16:08  |  Alex 23/01/09
      26.   Dino`s urge to be anti-Israel and pro Bigotry 16:16  |  Rob 23/01/09
      27.   If that be incitement 16:24  |  Gee 23/01/09
      28.   Traude #16 - Here`s the difference 16:52  |  Moises 23/01/09
      29.   To Traude #16 cont. 17:03  |  rabbi x 23/01/09
      30.   Geert Wilders GREAT HERO of the Free World (1) 17:10  |  Linda Rivera 23/01/09
      31.   Demonstrations for HERO WILDERS Must Take Place Around the World 17:14  |  Linda Rivera 23/01/09
      32.   Please sign the petition to cancel the prosecution 17:21  |  Jonathan 23/01/09
      33.   Muslims Globally, Publicly Call for the MASS MURDER of Jews 17:25  |  Linda Rivera 23/01/09
      34.   Posting 6 is just an incredible Dutch Muslim chuzpah 17:48  |  Jew- and Bookburner 23/01/09
      35.   Wilders is a hypocrit 17:50  |  Ernst 23/01/09
      36.   To: Simon 18:05  |  Angel 23/01/09
      37.   jan #6 his offence is creating mischief 18:08  |  boxley 23/01/09
      38.   Double standards and hypocrisy 18:08  |  Basil 23/01/09
      39.   # 21 Angel 18:12  |  Swiss (Dino) 23/01/09
      40.   # 24 As usual there is a little problem with Robbies "point".... 18:18  |  Swiss (Dino) 23/01/09
      41.   Ben Israel 18:29  |  Persian Kitty 23/01/09
      42.   To: Traude on "real freedom of speech" 18:41  |  Angel 23/01/09
      43.   Swiss (Dino) the difference between you and I 18:48  |  David Israel 23/01/09
      44.   wilders is a racist, 18:51  |  monique 23/01/09
      45.   Problematics of the Koran -DoubleTt Standards 19:02  |  Michael Greenberg 23/01/09
      46.   To Swiss (Dino)#15 etc 19:09  |  Ilya 23/01/09
      47.   This proves his point--everyone is afraid of Muslim violence 19:29  |  IW 23/01/09
      48.   Investigation, not conviction 19:42  |  jag van eimeren 23/01/09
      49.   Stupid Wilders, why don`t you make films about other religous 19:59  |  Tamir Palestine 23/01/09
      50.   To #37 M. Greenberg 20:20  |  Canadian 23/01/09
      51.   Party for "Freedom" 20:41  |  Rob 23/01/09
      52.   To: Canadian 21:04  |  Angel 23/01/09
      53.   European Appeasers 21:07  |  4:20 23/01/09
      54.   Swiss (Dino) the difference 4rh try 21:17  |  David Israel 23/01/09
      55.   Swiss (Dino) #33 - 4rh try 21:18  |  David Israel 23/01/09
      56.   It`s political everyone knows that, it is to scare critics 21:55  |  John Phee 23/01/09
      57.   Geert Wilders GREAT BIGOT of the not so Free World 22:26  |  Linda Lovelace 23/01/09
      58.   Swiss (Dino) the difference 5th try 22:51  |  David Israel 23/01/09
      59.   Swiss (Dino) #33 - 5th try 22:52  |  David Israel 23/01/09
      60.   I stand by and concur with Wilders..Muslims cant handle the truth 23:02  |  Jordan 23/01/09
      61.   Why do they rage when someone expose their belief 23:08  |  MMM 23/01/09
      62.   To Swiss (Dino)#15 etc (3 try) 23:14  |  Ilya 23/01/09
      63.   Angel...re. Simon.....Very well said! 23:17  |  Maria 23/01/09
      64.   democracy in danger?? 23:23  |  michel 23/01/09
      65.   BRAVE MAN WILDERS 23:44  |  The Teacher/Instruct 23/01/09
      66.   To: Linda Lovelace 00:12  |  Angel 24/01/09
      67.   no more Heineken for you!!!!! 00:30  |  Mark 24/01/09
      68.   # 44 / # 45 David Israel 00:33  |  Swiss (Dino) 24/01/09
      69.   Geert Wilders GREAT BIGOT of the not so Free World 00:37  |  Linda Lovelace 24/01/09
      70.   Swiss Dino 00:41  |  Avrum 24/01/09
      71.   # 48 Ilya 00:42  |  Swiss (Dino) 24/01/09
      72.   Lawyers from Hell 00:43  |  Stephen Rost 24/01/09
      73.   We do need Wilder`s hate i Europe. Jail will suite him 00:45  |  John 24/01/09
      74.   His film should be shown around the Western world 00:55  |  Nechama 24/01/09
      75.   Muslims in Europe 01:02  |  Sean 24/01/09
      76.   #11 Mijnheer Den Hartog, please explain.. 01:10  |  Ben Alofs 24/01/09
      77.   #43 Miss Lovelace....I might not like what you have to say 01:14  |  Lynn 24/01/09
      78.   Swiss (Dino) #54 01:15  |  David Israel 24/01/09
      79.   # 56 Avrum 01:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 24/01/09
      80.   #42 John Phee...a non-binding resolution passed 01:16  |  Lynn 24/01/09
      81.   Wilders ... 01:48  |  Edith 24/01/09
      82.   "We`ll use your laws to make you obey ours" 01:57  |  ME 24/01/09
      83.   This article is incorrect - it is not about the film 01:57  |  Oscar 24/01/09
      84.   34Dino avoids the point he can`t answer, re Gays in Iran 02:07  |  Rob 24/01/09
      85.   Swiss (Dino) #54 - 2nd try 02:09  |  David Israel 24/01/09
      86.   #51 The Teacher/Instruct.BRAVE MAN WILDERS,& KUDOS TO HIM. 02:13  |  Kathy 24/01/09
      87.   Simon - your argument is self defeating 02:36  |  ChanahS 24/01/09
      88.   Swiss 33 - I`d like to hear from you 02:43  |  ChanahS 24/01/09
      89.   David Israel 44- Swiss Dino blames 02:49  |  ChanahS 24/01/09
      90.   Ilya 48 02:51  |  ChanahS 24/01/09
      91.   Swiss Dino 54 02:54  |  ChanahS 24/01/09
      92.   Ben Alofs 59 02:58  |  ChanahS 24/01/09
      93.   Wilders 02:59  |  Muskens 24/01/09
      94.   We`ll use your laws to make you obey ours 03:21  |  ME 24/01/09
      95.   Ben Alofs telling the truth is not incitment 03:55  |  ME 24/01/09
      96.   Freedom of speech=Freedom to insult? 03:58  |  Willem 24/01/09
      97.   Anti-Free WorldNetherlands VICIOUS ATTACK on Western Civilization 04:05  |  Linda Rivera 24/01/09
      98.   Netherlands Cowardly, VICIOUS ATTACK on Western Civilization (2) 04:08  |  Linda Rivera 24/01/09
      99.   Muskens showing Islamist crimes is called fascism? 04:09  |  ME 24/01/09
      100.   Is there a website, where we can express our support for him? 04:14  |  ME 24/01/09
      101.   The thought police 05:32  |  fiona 24/01/09
      102.   Movie can be easily made with hateful talkbacks about Palestinian 05:48  |  Historian 24/01/09
      103.   Laughable ! Wilders must not be blamed. 05:48  |  Akram Zekaria 24/01/09
      104.   The Dark Side of Islam That Wants To Be The Light Of The World 05:50  |  Lavi 24/01/09
      105.   To #19 Bob - Let him express himself 05:51  |  Farid H. 24/01/09
      106.   As Life Goes On... 05:55  |  Persian Kitty 24/01/09
      107.   speaking against Holocaust is criminal in german 06:02  |  Reeza 24/01/09
      108.   Reeza....The Germans started it 06:22  |  Maria 24/01/09
      109.   To make it fair...why don`t we expose the true 06:27  |  Maria 24/01/09
      110.   Last Temptation of Jesus 06:31  |  Maria 24/01/09
      111.   Persian Kitty,is that all you wanted to say? 06:44  |  ME 24/01/09
      112.   # 84 Robbie, that is very well possible indeed...... 08:55  |  Swiss (Dino) 24/01/09
      113.   My Vote he has 11:00  |  Richard 24/01/09
      114.   Dutch Wilders MP 13:50  |  Simone 24/01/09
      115.   #96 Willem.....it may be insulting, but I have heard 17:30  |  Lynn 24/01/09
      116.   Why the Pilgrims left Holland 18:02  |  Mark Lincoln 24/01/09
      117.   IS IT HATE CRIME OR FREE SPEECH? 18:04  |  Historian 24/01/09
      118.   Lynn @77 I don`t like what you have to say 18:23  |  Linda Lovelace 24/01/09
      119.   # 86 Kathy 18:26  |  The Teacher/Instruct 24/01/09
      120.   Wilders and Islam 18:27  |  Dik 24/01/09
      121.   To Lavi (# 104). Wish I had said that. 19:09  |  flyingdoc57 24/01/09
      122.   Now watch this comic theater... 19:23  |  zmogus 24/01/09
      123.   Why the Pilgrims left Holland? I think they didn`t want 20:49  |  MMM 24/01/09
      124.   Maria #110 Try Life of Brian 21:41  |  ave 24/01/09
      125.   Europe appeasing Radical Islamists 01:02  |  Rob 25/01/09
      126.   To: monique - wilders is a racist 01:40  |  Rob 25/01/09
      127.   To: Rob - Party for "Freedom" 01:49  |  Rob 25/01/09
      128.   112 Swiss Dini turning history on its head 01:51  |  Rob AA 25/01/09
      129.   To: Angel - To: Canadian 01:51  |  Rob 25/01/09
      130.   The west has surrendered long ago 01:54  |  ky 25/01/09
      131.   Backlash against Muslims? 01:56  |  Rob 25/01/09
      132.   To: Swiss (Dino) - #44 / #45 David Israel 02:04  |  Rob 25/01/09
      133.   To: John, UK - We don`t need Wilder`s hate in U.K... 02:12  |  Rob 25/01/09
      134.   To: Ben Alofs - #11 Mijnheer Den Hartog, please expain... 02:20  |  Rob 25/01/09
      135.   Radical whatttt???? 02:26  |  Aya 25/01/09
      136.   To: Aya 03:18  |  Angel 25/01/09
      137.   Angel # 36 re: freedom of spech 03:19  |  American in NY 25/01/09
      138.   Aya, please go to school 03:42  |  huh 25/01/09
      139.   To: Rob 04:18  |  Angel 25/01/09
      140.   Petition on line to protest this 04:34  |  fiona 25/01/09
      141.   WHY NO prosecution of "Peace marchers"& Kill The Jews placards? 05:37  |  PETER SM 25/01/09
      142.   TRAUDE"Real freedom of speech" Is cartoons without dead Nuns ! 05:44  |  PETER SM 25/01/09
      143.   42 Angel: LOL ... Did you forget your history? 08:11  |  Tupac 25/01/09
      144.   To: Tupac 10:59  |  Angel 25/01/09
      145.   To: American in New York 11:06  |  Angel 25/01/09
      146.   Protest Netherlands UNITES WITH RADICAL ISLAM Against Innocents 19:41  |  Linda Rivera 25/01/09
      147.   Freedom of speech 20:00  |  John 25/01/09
      148.   Video by Geert Wilders 21:15  |  Felix 25/01/09
      149.   Government of Holland is siding with terrorism 23:46  |  Leo 25/01/09
      150.   To Woody 14:07  |  Theodore 26/01/09
      151.   How the west was won/lost 17:32  |  Carl 26/01/09
      152.   #149 Leo just a sample ..Good on Wilders. 03:19  |  Jasmine 27/01/09
      153.   Good for the goose... 04:48  |  Tack 27/01/09
     Read & React
    Livni: Israel should strike Hamas again to halt arms smuggling
    Responses: 81
    Egypt to Hamas: Take Gaza truce before Netanyahu is voted PM
    Responses: 93
    Netanyahu: Likud-led government wouldn't build new settlements
    Responses: 62
    Akiva Eldar: Saudi plan offers Israel united front with Arab states against Iran
    Responses: 51
    IDF rabbinate publication during Gaza war: We will show no mercy on the cruel
    Responses: 72


    More Headlines
    03:23 Diplomatic effort stymies French push to lift Hamas boycott
    03:31 ANALYSIS / Recognizing that Israel's effort to topple Hamas has failed
    00:23 Obama: Mideast peace is personally important to me
    01:24 Kadima kicks off campaign with threat to bump off Hamas leaders
    05:33 In bid to gain Russian vote, Barak mimics Putin 'we'll kill them on the toilet' remark
    02:20 Head of right-wing think tank: Settlements must be evacuated
    03:02 Miri Eisin / Is only the Israeli narrative 'the truth' and all the others wrong?
    22:07 'In Venezuela, anti-Semitism is endorsed by the government'
    01:51 Conference concludes: Gaza war legitimized equating Jews with Nazis
    02:30 Eurovision contenders withdraw from benefit concert for Gaza civilians, citing political tug-of-war
    04:15 Gideon Levy / My Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Avraham Ravitz
    05:24 After 60 years, siblings separated in WWII reunited
    04:45 Pedophile case suspect ran child prostitution ring
    05:25 Vatican: Comments by Holocaust-denying bishop unacceptable
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved