Jewish museums across the city of Amsterdam have reported a drop in the number of visitors since 2023 – and have argued they have been linked to a conflict in which they have no involvement.
Four majour cultural institutions in the city have faced the impact of ongoing conflict in the Middle East since Hamas carried out attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
All located in Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, the cultural hubs affected are the Jewish Museum, National Holocaust Museum, the Hollandse Schouwburg and the Portuguese Synagogue.
Most affected is the Jewish Museum, which reportedly welcomed approximately 105,000 visitors in 2023.
However, the following year, that dropped to around 86,000. In 2025, it fell further to 65,000.
The Jewish Museum in Amsterdam has seen a decline in numbers in recent months
All the cultural institutions in the Jewish Cultural Quarter have faced consequences
Meanwhile, the National Holocaust Museum saw an 11 per cent drop in visitor numbers between 2024 and 2025.
The Hollandse Schouwburg, a Holocaust Memorial and Dutch Theatre, faced a similar fate.
And the previously popular Portuguese Synagogue has similarly seen a decline in visitor numbers, Dutch publication Het Parool reported.
Director Emile Schrijver told the publication: ‘I want to make it clear that we are not on the verge of collapse. But we cannot continue financially as we are now.’
He explains the reason for the decline in visitor numbers: ‘We are being linked to a geopolitical conflict over which we ourselves have absolutely no influence.’
He also added visitors in the Netherlands fear going to the museums due to security concerns.
And protests over the Israel-Palestine conflict in the city and country overall have further deterred visitors.
In 2024 for example, chaos broke out in Amsterdam as pro-Palestine protesters clashed with Dutch police after officers moved in on a banned demonstration following attacks on Israeli football fans in the city.
Police in riot gear moved in on the protesters who were chanting slogans and holding up placards at Dam square in the wake of clashes between Israeli football fans and groups of youths on Thursday.
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after they defied the ban as they and hundreds of others gathered in the city’s Dam square, holding up placards that said ‘We want our streets back’ and chanting ‘Free Palestine’ as well as ‘From the river to the sea’.
AT5 reported that about 20 people were detained.
While no official statistics confirm the ongoing conflict is the direct cause of the drop in visitor numbers, those working at the museums have little doubt on the matter.
Public manager Kiki Stoffels said: ‘It can hardly be anything other than the geopolitical context.’
Exhbitions at the Jewish Museum – regardless of the fact they have nothing to do with the war – have been far less well attended than previous exhibitions.
For instance, the museum is currently exhibiting a display called Judy Chicago: Revelations – which has no relation to the political situation or conflict in the Middle East.
On the official website, it’s described as such: ‘Revelations is a solo exhibition by iconic feminist artist Judy Chicago. Known for challenging the male-dominated art world, Chicago explores themes of gender, power, and social justice.
‘Her focus on language, creation, and forgotten stories reflect her Jewish heritage. It is Chicago’s first solo presentation in the Netherlands.’
Other staff members have said school visits are on the decline too, as teachers fear parental concerns if a trip were to be organised.
The museum director has added: ‘Initially, we didn’t want to do anything related to the war in our programming. After all, we are not an Israel museum.
‘But we are a museum about Jews and Judaism in the Netherlands, and by now you can say that the discussion about Israel is part of that.’
As such, the museum has run discussion meetings on the topic of Israel, but still has no influence over the conflict.