Condoning and Trivializing Islamic Terror: The Erasmus Bridge Jihad Attack Netherlands Wants You to Forget

The terrorist attack on Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam has shocked the city, but the muted response from authorities and the media is raising serious concerns. The attacker, a 22-year-old Moroccan man, stabbed two people—one fatally—near the bridge this past Thursday.

The Public Prosecution Service confirmed that he is charged with murder and attempted murder with a terrorist motive, shouting “Allahu Akbar” multiple times during the jihadist attack. Despite the gravity of this crime, public outrage remains surprisingly subdued, illustrating how leaders and the media continue to downplay the very real threat of Islamic terrorism and the consequences of open-border policies.

Media’s Downplayed Response

A 32-year-old Rotterdam resident lost his life, and a 33-year-old Swiss man was injured. Yet, major newspapers like De Telegraaf relegated the story to a small column on page four, blandly titled “Man stabs around in Rotterdam: one dead.”

Opening krant? Nee, weggestopt als eenkolomsbericht op pagina 4. #Rotterdam #Telegraaf pic.twitter.com/E40EjybpVX

— Roelof Bouwman (@RoelofBouwman) September 20, 2024

Journalist Joost Niemoller called out this understated report, highlighting the absurdity of brushing aside such a violent and politically charged event.

Worse still, state broadcaster NOS merely referred to the attacker as an “Amersfoorter,” downplaying his Moroccan background and possible radical ties. This type of reporting ignores the ideological roots of Islamic terrorism, leaving the public blind to the real dangers.

Reactie burgemeester Aboutaleb op steekpartij Erasmusbrug pic.twitter.com/gojDZfyRug

— B en W Rotterdam (@College010) September 20, 2024

Leaders Failing to Acknowledge Terrorism

Rotterdam’s Muslim mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, shockingly referred to the attack as a “nasty act” and a “nasty event.” Telegraaf journalist Wierd Duk rightly criticized the mayor’s weak language, pointing out that murder in the name of Allah is not merely “nasty”—it’s an act of terror that has left the city traumatized. Once again, the fact that the suspect was already known to police highlights the failure to prevent repeat offenders linked to Islamic terrorism.

Adding insult to injury, Mayor Aboutaleb downplayed the significance of the Islamic war cry “Allahu Akbar,” stating that he says it “dozens of times a day.” Historian Roelof Bouwman noted that such a comment would end a politician’s career in other Western countries, yet in the Netherlands, it’s brushed aside. This trivialization of jihadist actions not only disrespects the victims and their families but also jeopardizes public safety.

Trivializing Islamic Terrorism

The lack of serious response from both the media and government officials is part of a broader trend to downplay the threat of Islamic terrorism in Europe. Health scientist Yvonne Simons criticized how the incident was minimized, pointing out how hurtful this trivialization is to the victims’ families. What they need is justice, not euphemisms.

Legal philosopher Raisa Blommestijn summed it up: “It is truly unbelievable how Islamic terrorism is denied, justified, and trivialized.” Across Europe, similar attacks are being swept under the rug, with leaders too focused on political correctness to address the root causes. Their open-border policies have created a fertile ground for jihadis to exploit the system, and their silence is making them complicit.

The Price of Open Borders

The Erasmus Bridge attack is yet another grim reminder of how open borders and lax immigration policies are fueling terrorism. Like many other Islamic terrorists in Europe, the attacker was known to authorities but allowed to roam free and strike again. This leniency emboldens radicals and endangers the public.

How many more lives will be lost before authorities stop trivializing Islamic terrorism and admit that their immigration policies are failing? The people of Rotterdam—and all of Europe—deserve clear answers and immediate action. This terror attack must serve as a wake-up call for leaders to confront the problem head-on, or continue betraying the very citizens they are meant to protect.