' Protesting Turks in Netherlands, how can that happen? '

Zihni Özdil saw them standing on the Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam, the day after the failed coup in Turkey: angry, young men with red flags and ' bloodshot eyes '. ,, How can that happen, "says he already but the question that many on the lips. ,, How is it possible that the fourth generation Turkish Dutch people so full of conviction behind president Erdogan leads? "

So, how can that happen?

,, This is proof that the Turkish population in the worst Dutch Netherlands are integrated. And actually, we know that for a very long time. Here gold always: you are integrated if you have no bags steals, a training have done and have a job. Well, then score the Turks indeed relatively well. They are not excessive criminal, are slightly more educated than, for example, Moroccans and Turks have their own business. "

But?

, That is no real integration. It is a question of how much you are connected to the Netherlands. For many young people is the Turkey Turkey before and after. And that may best, they have the right to do so. But don't be too honest in your analysis. "

What this analysis, do you?
,, Through years to leave the door open for ultra-nationalist clubs like Milli Gorus, Diyanet, Hizmet Fethulah of Gülen and the movement Süleymanci Netherlands has accepted that Turkey could take hold over the Turks in our country. Some organizations have even received grants!

It may happen that young people now say literally, and I've heard it, "I am not Dutch. That is why we see these young people never take to the streets to demonstrate about Dutch subjects. I would say also go once to the streets for the care, the environment or public transport. You live here, you're going to die here, your children grow here: open your eyes!But no, they are really in the grip of Turkey. White Dutch here have little knowledge of. "

How Turkish or Dutch are you?
,, I was born in Turkey, but I'm a Dutchman. Once a year I go back to visit my family because it is part of my heritage. I am also a historian and columnist for NRC. I graduated in American history. I write about everything, have on many issues an opinion, not really just about Turkey. In fact, I was for a time stopped writing about Turkey, because I was tired of being threatened. How many times do I have not heard that I'm a traitor. I am Dutch! And indeed, I am very passionate about this subject. But if you had called me about the Panama Papers, I was just so passionate. "

And now?
,, Netherlands must at least stop saying there is nothing wrong with Milli Gorus and the like.That attitude, as we really need from it. You should and you can not prohibit organizations, but Facilitation they will not, do not go with them in concert. Otherwise there will never integrate. ''

Are you optimistic?
,,No not really. I am afraid that this group is beyond saving. It is flogging a dead horse. Have you not noticed how quickly such a demonstration was organized like in Rotterdam? Where were flags all come from? Who these people mobilized? I will not say there is a fifth column in the Netherlands, but it looks like it. "

By Editorial AD Photo: ANP / Holland Height