An image of Anne Frank in which the Holocaust is linked to the war in Gaza has also not been met with much enthusiasm. The museum says it is aware of negative reactions from visitors, but will not remove the works. ‘Art may be offensive, may challenge and may give rise to discussion and debate’, says director Emma van Proosdij in a written response.Yoram van der Meij is an intern at the political party Beter voor Rijswijk and is of Jewish descent himself. He heard from the Jewish communities in Rijswijk and The Hague that many people feel hurt by the exhibition that has been on display in Museum Rijswijk for a few days. He went to see it himself and says he is also shocked.
Carpet with war drone
The works in question are by artist Susanne Khalil Yusef, which are part of the exhibition
Textile Biennale 25. Interwoven Futures . For example, a hand-tufted carpet can be seen that depicts an Israeli war drone in full size. The mural that is causing the most commotion was made by the Dutch artist of Palestinian descent with Palestinian friends. ‘That offers uncensored space for feelings and desires in response to destroyed ‘Free Palestine’ stickers’, according to the explanation in the museum.
“It is an extremely one-sided exhibition,” says Yoram van der Meij. “The texts are full of lies. They distort history and can give visitors dangerous ideas. I don’t understand why this is being shown in Rijswijk, it doesn’t fit the museum at all.”Alice Prenger, chair of the Better for Rijswijk faction, agrees. “They are free to show whatever they want, but this is a museum that receives over four hundred thousand euros in subsidies from the municipality every year,” she says. “The world around us is already restless enough. Especially in a municipality that is fully committed to diversity, I cannot really understand this choice.”
Providing space for dialogue
Director Emma van Proosdij leaves it at a written statement. ‘Museum Rijswijk is a place that invites, offers space for diverse perspectives and encourages dialogue’, she writes. ‘In the
Textile Biennale 2025 (with work by twenty artists) work by Susanne Khalil Yusef can be seen, among others. The work is about the situation of Palestinians and has previously been exhibited in various places in the Netherlands.”We have noticed that some visitors find this work offensive. We regret that,’ she continues. ‘It makes clear how important context and explanation are for the perspective and message of the artist. We support the display of the work and the freedom of artists to address current and controversial themes. At the same time, we realize that care is needed, especially in a time of increasing tensions in society. In the coming days, we will therefore provide the work with the necessary explanation and context.’In addition to its function as a city museum, Museum Rijswijk attracts visitors from home and abroad with textile and paper biennials that alternate every other year. ‘Museum Rijswijk is and remains a place where artists are given the space to address social, current and controversial themes. We gladly invite visitors who are touched by the work for a conversation’, according to the statement.
