Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has said in a reaction to the Paris attacks that it is time to ‘wipe out’ ISIS.
‘I am no military strategist, but as a manager I say it is time to wipe out the 40,000 to 50,000 people who have joined ISIS,’ he told broadcaster Nos.
For some people, membership of ISIS is ‘symbolic’ of something, the mayor said. But it is only when they are gone that the problem will have been dealt with.
The Muslim community must make its voice heard, Aboutaleb said. ‘Because these events first and foremost turn against Muslims in Europe. All peace-loving Muslims in Europe should distance themselves from this.’
Holocaust
Earlier this week Aboutaleb compared ISIS’ actions to the Holocaust. ‘ISIS are involved in ethnic cleansing on Christians, Shiites, Yezidis, Alawites and moderate Muslims,’ he said.
Aboutaleb, himself a Muslim, is known for his outspoken stance on radical Islam. In November he broke with the Labour party line and said Dutch nationals who have decided they want to travel to Syria to join Islamic militias should be allowed to go but should be banned from coming back to the Netherlands.
‘I want to make sure those who are considering going to Syria know exactly what is at risk,’ Aboutaleb told the AD. ‘If you think this society is depraved, then go. But there is no way back. Hand over your passport and risk getting bombed.’