User talk:David Finn/countries

In the Netherlands, right-wing politician Geert Wilders has been vocal in his criticism of Islam. Although defining his objections as against radical Islam and "Islamisation" Wilders has been critical of the Koran, likening it in his film, "Fitna", to Hitlers Mein Kampf and calling for it to be banned. Capitalizing on wider anti-immigrant fears in the Netherlands, Wilders and his Freedom Party (Partij voor de Vrijheid or PVV) became in 2010 the third largest political party in the Netherlands and subsequently an influence on the Dutch coalition government.

A frequent visitor to Israel, Wilders has described the "war on Israel" as an attack against Western society, and his views have generated financial support for the PVV in both Israel and the United States. In addition to advocating the banning of the Koran, Wilders has proposed a tax on headscarves, which transformed into a nationwide ban against public wearing of the burka, the full Islamic veil, a concession granted Wilders and the PVV by the ruling Dutch coalition in return for parliamentary support.

Despite limited political support and much negative opinion, growing popular support for Wilders could see further anti-Islamic reforms in the Netherlands, as Wilders has proposed severe restrictions on the rights of non-Westerners to practice religion, as well as anti-immigration policies.