Anti-fascist research group Kafka

Last updated

Anti-fascist research group Kafka, commonly abbreviated to Kafka, is a Dutch anti-fascist and far-left research group. Its name was said to be an acronym for Kollektief Anti-Fascistisch/-Kapitalistisch Archief (English: Collective Anti-Fascist/-Capitalist Archive) before 1994, but the research group has since indicated that they had named themselves after the writer Franz Kafka. [1]

Contents

History

Kafka finds its origins in the squatters' movement. It conducts research into groups and individuals in the Netherlands whom it considers to be far-right, and the developments related to them. The results are published on the website of the research group. [2] Kafka is funded by gifts and donations, rather than subsidies. [3] Jaap van Beek has been the group's spokesperson since at least 2010. [4]

In the run-up to the provincial elections of 2011, Kafka published a report which showed that various Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid, PVV) candidate members and party supporters (who had signed its "Declaration of support for a list of candidates" document) had ties to the far-right. Among them were former Centre Democrats and members or candidate members of the Dutch People's Union. [5] [6]

In December 2017, the research group published a report on Géza Hegedüs  [ nl ], who had been presented as PVV's lead candidate in Rotterdam for the 2018 municipal elections. Kafka revealed that Hegedüs was a member of the alt-right Studiegenootschap Erkenbrand and had shared, among other things, antisemitic and antiziganist opinions and his belief in a coming civil war in Western Europe on that group's podcast. [7] [8]

In 2023, two White Lives Matter (WLM) activists were arrested on suspicion of projecting white nationalist slogans on the Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam and other structures in Alkmaar and Eindhoven. [9] Dutch media cited Kafka's report on WLM in their coverage, [10] and the group's spokesperson voiced his concerns about right-wing extremists' attempts to normalize racism and the increased use of ethnonationalist rhetoric in mainstream political discourse. [11] [12]

AIVD scrutiny

In the 2008 annual threat report of the General Intelligence and Security Service (Dutch : Algemene Inlichtingen- en Veiligheidsdienst, AIVD), under the heading 'left-wing extremism', Kafka was mentioned as the information supplier of the left-wing activist group Anti-Fascistische Aktie (AFA). [13] In 2010, the AIVD wrote in its report Afkalvend front, blijvend beladen (English: Calving Front, Permanently Fraught) that Kafka and AFA strove to "keep everything that is considered right-wing out of the public space." Kafka and AFA would allegedly pursue this anti-democratic goal through undemocratic means, such as (inciting) violence and intimidation. [14]

Selected dossiers

See also

Related Research Articles

The Party for Freedom and Progress was a liberal political party in Belgium which existed from 1961 until 1992. The party was the successor of the Liberal Party, which had roots dating back to 1846. It was succeeded in the Flemish Community of Belgium by the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) and in the French Community by the Liberal Reformist Party, Parti des Réformes et des Libertés de Wallonie and the current-day Reformist Movement. In the German-speaking Community, it continued to exist as the Party for Freedom and Progress up to 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party for the Animals</span> Dutch political party

The Party for the Animals is a political party in the Netherlands. Among its main goals are animal rights and animal welfare. The PvdD was founded in 2002 as a single-issue party for animal rights, opposing animal cruelty and the treatment of animals in agriculture. The party then developed into a left-wing, ecological party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voorpost</span>

Voorpost is an ethno-nationalist (volksnationalist) group founded in Flanders, Belgium, by Karel Dillen in 1976 as a splinter from the Volksunie. Voorpost pursues the irredentist ideal of a Greater Netherlands, a nation state that would unite all Dutch-speaking territories in Europe. It is active in Belgium, the Netherlands and South Africa.

The Dutch People's Union is a Dutch far-right political party. The party espouses ethnic nationalism, advocates for the preservation of "Germanic Christian culture" in the Netherlands, and is a proponent of a Greater Netherlands.

The Party for Freedom is a nationalist and right-wing populist political party in the Netherlands. Geert Wilders is the founder, party leader, and sole member of the party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New National Party (Netherlands)</span> Political party in the Netherlands

The New National Party was a Dutch nationalist political party which existed between 1998 and 2005. It succeeded the Volksnationalisten Nederland party which had been founded in 1997. The NNP was originally named Nationale Partij Nederland but because another party had used a similar name earlier the name was rejected by the Electoral Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oud-Strijders Legioen</span> Dutch right-wing veterans organization

The Oud-Strijders Legioen was a Dutch right-wing veterans' organization that was active after 1958 and which still maintains a web presence. Though never a big organization or a political party, the OSL exerted considerable influence in Dutch politics and was a well-known voice for conservative nationalism, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. It was led, from the beginning, by military veteran Prosper Ego.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Lives Matter</span> White supremacist slogan in reaction to Black Lives Matter

White Lives Matter (WLM) is a white supremacist slogan that emerged in 2015 as a reaction to the Black Lives Matter social justice movement that started a few years prior. The phrase has been used by neo-Nazis, Neo-Confederates, and other white supremacist groups to recruit new members into white supremacist movements and demonstrations. Proponents of the slogan argue that they use it to raise awareness against a supposed "white genocide" and build support for a white ethnostate, and it has been frequently found at "pro-white" rallies across the United States.

Forum for Democracy is a far-right political party in the Netherlands, founded as a think tank by Thierry Baudet and Henk Otten in 2016. The party first participated in elections in the 2017 general election, winning two seats in the House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post–World War II anti-fascism</span>

Post–World War II anti-fascism, including antifa groups, anti-fascist movements and anti-fascist action networks, saw the development of political movements describing themselves as anti-fascist and in opposition to fascism. Those movements have been active in several countries in the aftermath of World War II during the second half of the 20th and early 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farid Azarkan</span> Dutch politician (born 1971)

Farid Azarkan is a Dutch politician who has been serving as the Leader of Denk since 26 September 2020. Additionally, he has been a member of the House of Representatives since 23 March 2017. Azarkan previously held the position of parliamentary leader between 21 March 2020 and 3 August 2023. Azarkan was the lijsttrekker for Denk in the 2021 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 European Parliament election in the Netherlands</span>

The 2024 European Parliament election in the Netherlands was held on 6 June 2024 as part of the 2024 European Parliament election. It was the tenth time the elections have been held for the European elections in the Netherlands, and the first to take place after Brexit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Dutch general election</span>

Early general elections were held in the Netherlands on 22 November 2023 to elect the members of the House of Representatives. The elections had been expected to be held in 2025 but a snap election was called after the fourth Rutte cabinet collapsed on 7 July 2023 due to immigration policy disagreements between the coalition parties. The incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that he would not lead his party into the election and that he would retire from politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henk de Vree</span> Dutch politician (born 1954)

J.H. "Henk" de Vree is a Dutch politician, who served on the House of Representatives in the period 2020–21 and from 2023 onwards. There, he represents the right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonie Vestering</span> Dutch politician (born 1984)

Leonie Vestering is a Dutch politician of the Party for the Animals (PvdD). She campaigned against circus animals, and she was a member of the States of Flevoland and the Almere municipal council. Vestering was elected to the House of Representatives in 2021 and resigned in September 2023 in response to a conflict within her party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belang van Nederland</span> Dutch political party

Belang van Nederland is a political party in the Netherlands, led by Wybren van Haga. Between 2021 and 2023, it was active in the House of Representatives as the independent Van Haga Group. Its three MPs split from Forum for Democracy in August 2021.

In the run-up to the 2023 Dutch general election, various organisations carried out opinion polling to gauge voting intentions in the Netherlands. Results of such polls are displayed in this list.

The Nationalist People's Movement was a far-right political organization in the Netherlands. Chairman of the group was Wim Beaux, who was previously active for the Centre Party '86. The NVB was founded in 2006 as a split from the National Alliance, likewise a right-wing extremist organization. The NVB's name, logo and mottoes resembled those of the collaborationist National Socialist Movement of World War II. According to the General Intelligence and Security Service, the NVB "virtually disappeared from the scene" in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Social Contract</span> Political party in the Netherlands

New Social Contract is a political party in the Netherlands founded and led by Pieter Omtzigt.

References

  1. ↑ "FAQ" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Over Kafka" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "Steun Kafka" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Selevcek, Miroslav (24 October 2010). "Storm op komst" (in Dutch). Art.1. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Rechtsextremisten actief bij de PVV" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  6. ↑ Heijmans, Toine (16 February 2011). "PVV krijgt steun extreem-rechts" (in Dutch). de Volkskrant. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "De bruine wortels van de Rotterdamse PVV-lijsttrekker Géza Hegedüs" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  8. ↑ Beek, Monica (15 December 2017). "Kafka: Lijsttrekker Rotterdamse PVV heeft extreemrechtse ideeën". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  9. ↑ Bolle, Joram; Kraak, Haro (24 February 2023). "Politie arresteert twee verdachten voor racistische projecties op Erasmusbrug en stadhuizen in Alkmaar en Eindhoven". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "White Lives Matter onder de loep" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  11. ↑ "Racistische laserprojecties baren zorgen: 'Symptoom van groter probleem'". NOS . 25 February 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  12. ↑ Klei, Ewout (17 January 2023). "'Extreemrechts wordt steeds meer mainstream', ziet Jaap van Beek (Kafka)". de Kanttekening (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  13. ↑ Horst, Guus ter (21 April 2009). "AIVD Jaarverslag 2008" (in Dutch). General Intelligence and Security Service. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "AIVD-publicatie: Afkalvend front, blijvend beladen" (in Dutch). General Intelligence and Security Service. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  15. ↑ "Blood & Honour (B&H)" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  16. ↑ "Centrumdemocraten CD" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  17. ↑ "Centrumpartij '86 CP'86" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  18. ↑ "Nederlands Blok NB" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "Nederlandse Volks-Unie NVU" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Forum voor Democratie Archieven" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Taalpuristen" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "Lonsdalejongeren" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Nationale Alliantie NA" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Nationalistische Volks Beweging NVB" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "Nieuwe Nationale Partij NNP / Volksnationalisten Nederland VNN" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  26. ↑ "Nieuw Rechts NR" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  27. ↑ "Oud-Strijders Legioen OSL" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  28. ↑ "Partij Voor de Vrijheid PVV" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  29. ↑ "Lijst Pim Fortuyn LPF" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  30. ↑ "internetforum Stormfront" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  31. ↑ "Voorpost" (in Dutch). Anti-fascist research group Kafka. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.