The Tour That Turned Terrifying: Dutch Guide Kicks Israelis Off Boat Mid-Tour

According to Rozit Gad, the mother, the tour with "Those Dam Boat Guys" started off pleasantly. She and her son had boarded the boat for a private tour, and the guide was initially friendly. However, the guide's demeanor changed drastically after he asked where they were from and they answered, "Israel." The guide reportedly began texting, stopped narrating the tour, and became visibly agitated. He then started to lecture them about the Holocaust, accusing them of what he called "doing this to another nation" and declared, "I can't be in your presence. I want you to get off the boat." When they asked to be taken back to the starting dock, he refused. The tourists, frightened that he might harm them, complied and got off the boat where they were.

Rozit Gad reported the incident to the tour company, which promptly apologized and refunded their money. The company, Those Dam Boat Guys, confirmed that they had fired the guide, stating that while he saw his actions as a political protest, the company and the customers saw it as clear discrimination. The company emphasized that its values are based on the Dutch principle of tolerance and that they do not employ anyone who refuses to serve customers based on their religion, race, or nationality. This action comes amidst a rise in antisemitic incidents in the Netherlands, with data showing a significant increase in recent years. In 2023, the number of antisemitic incidents in the Netherlands was 379, a more than 150% increase from 2022. This surge is largely attributed to the war in Gaza following the October 7th Massacre in Israel by Hamas.