Ministerie van Justitie

Threat level remains limited

Press release | 07-04-2010

The threat level for the Netherlands remains at the level of limited. This means that the chance of an attack against the Netherlands is small, but that it certainly cannot be entirely excluded. The chance of an attack against Dutch interests does remain larger in countries and areas where groups linked to Al Qaida are active. The debate on Islam remains polarised as well. Against the background of the upcoming elections to the Lower House of Parliament and the possible resulting shifts in the political balance of powers in the Netherlands, there is a certain risk that the Netherlands will be confronted with politically-motivated violence in the coming months. This was written today by Minister of Justice and of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Hirsch Ballin to the Lower House of Parliament in the National Terrorist Threat Assessment (DTN20).

The current international threat against the Netherlands remains unchanged in outline. This means that it is mainly determined by the jihadist perception of the debate on Islam in the Netherlands, as well as the role of the Netherlands as ally of the US and Israel, and the involvement in the international, military stabilisation of Afghanistan.

The threat of domestic networks remains limited as it was in the previous period. As a result of the limited threat from core Al Qaida, the threat against the Netherlands from that corner is limited as well. In contrast to the threat against the Netherlands, it can be stated that the resilience against violence among Muslim communities has grown. This is also increasingly the case among ultra-orthodox, salafist movements.

There is also the risk of political violence in the run-up to the elections. A more fierce debate of Islam in the Netherlands could draw the attention of jihadists, for example. The danger can come from other directions as well. Radicalising loners with differing backgrounds have to be taken into account more so than in other situations.

More information

• Summary DTNdossier page | 07-04-2010 | pdf-document, 29 KBSummary of the March 2010 edition of the Terrorist Threat Assessment Netherlands (DTN). The DTN is drawn up four times a year by the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism. It is primarily intended for the Cabinet Committee on National Security. The DTN is also discussed with the House’s Intelligence and Security Services Committee.