Jump to content

Greater Netherlands Student Association

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GNSV
MottoFides, Honor, Patria
LocationLeiden
Nijmegen
EstablishedSeptember 2021 (Leiden)
August 2023 (Nijmegen)
ColorsRed, White, and Green
      (Leiden)
Black, Gold, and Green
      (Nijmegen)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Greater Netherlands Student Association (Dutch: Groot-Nederlandse Studentenvereniging; GNSV) is a nationalist,[1][2] right-wing conservative[3] student organization in the Netherlands, with chapters in Leiden and Nijmegen. The association was founded in Leiden in 2021 by members of the Geuzenbond, a far-right identitarian youth organization.[4][5]

History and structure

[edit]

The GNSV was founded in September 2021 in Leiden.[4] The following year, its existence was announced in De Stormlamp (transl. The Storm Lantern), the publication of the Geuzenbond. Several indications suggest that the two organizations are closely intertwined.[5][6] Researcher Willem Wagenaar from the Anne Frank Foundation concluded that they are essentially the same organization.[6] The GNSV denies this,[4] stating they do not monitor whether their members are active in other organizations.[5][6]

In contrast to the Geuzenbond, GNSV members are identifiable in their outings on social media. Nevertheless, praeses Frank Dijk and the two other members of the praesidium, who officially proclaimed the Leiden chapter the following February, were recognizable as Geuzenbond members who had marched masked at a COVID-19 demonstration the month before. Daan Meershoek, the first praeses of the Nijmegen chapter, appeared alongside Dijk and other GNSV members in a Geuzenbond photo taken during a flower-laying ceremony at the statue of William the Silent in Delft. Through open source intelligence, the Capitol Terrorists Exposers (CTE) collective determined that many GNSV members are also active within the Geuzenbond. Meershoek has denied that the majority of their members are involved in both organizations.[5]

The Nijmegen chapter was founded in 2023.[7] That year, Meershoek and several other members attended a lecture at KU Leuven by far-right Austrian activist Martin Sellner, organized by the Flemish Nationalistische Studentenvereniging (NSV!). Sellner, who has connections to neo-Nazi circles, was previously linked to the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, as he received financial support from the perpetrator and publicly expressed sympathy for him.[1][5]

Even before the GNSV participated in their first introduction market at Radboud University, objections to their presence were voiced on social media.[2] During the event, GNSV members clashed with antifascists, leading to three members of the latter group being detained by the police. This violence was condemned by Mayor Hubert Bruls.[8] However, the court later acquitted all, citing insufficient evidence to determine culpability for the fight.[9] Subsequently, Tom Steenblok, chair of the Knokpartij in the student council, urged the university to exclude the GNSV, stating their ideas "contradict the rights of women, people of color, and LGBT+ individuals." Rector magnificus Han van Krieken declared that the GNSV had been warned that they would only be welcome as long as they refrained from racism, sexism, or exclusion. The association had agreed to these terms. In Leiden, the GNSV was refused a stand at the market because they had failed to submit their application on time.[10]

Meershoek visited the far-right Parisian student association Cocarde Étudiante in 2024. This group is known for connections with neo-Nazis.[6][11] The following August the GNSV was allowed to recruit members at introduction markets in both Nijmegen and Leiden.[11][12] Protests by Leiden Tegen Fascisme (transl. Leiden Against Fascism) occurred in Leiden.[12] Meanwhile, in Nijmegen, members of the Antifascistische Aktie (transl. Antifascist Action) handed out flyers next to the GNSV booth for about 30 minutes, labeling the association as neo-Nazis, until security asked them to leave.[13] Both universities defended their decision to allow GNSV participation, citing the association's legal status. According to the GNSV, they have a membership of several dozen.[5]

In January 2025, the GNSV announced plans to establish a chapter in Utrecht with an anticipated launch in the 2025–2026 academic year. Utrecht chapter praeses Frank van Breukelen stated that there is a "need for a right-wing voice" in the city. The association aims to offer a space for politically engaged students to experience student life.[14][15][16] Van Breukelen is group leader for Forum for Democracy in the Provincial Council of Utrecht.[14]

Ideology and mission

[edit]

The GNSV presents itself as a conservative-right student association operating within the bounds of the rule of law. Journalist Haro Kraak argued in de Volkskrant that the GNSV functions as a vehicle to make the far-right ideology of the Geuzenbond more visible.[5] The GNSV maintains close ties with the Flemish NSV! and claims to largely support their ideology.[1][17] Both organizations featured the same quote on their websites from Ernest Van der Hallen, a Flemish nationalist youth leader during the interwar period: "Be radical, be principled; be absolute; be what the bourgeois calls: an extremist."[10] These three organization came together at the Greater Netherlands Youth Congress in 2023.[5] The congress was ideologically aimed at achieving unification or fostering closer collaboration within Dutch-speaking regions while rejecting globalism in favor of nationalism.

Unlike the Geuzenbond, the GNSV has only rarely made radical statements publicly.[4] However, far-right dog whistles, such as the OK symbol, can be found in their content.[5] Dijk has stated that the GNSV rejects the label "far-right," as it implies using anti-democratic means to achieve political objectives.[10] Wagenaar described the GNSV's ideology as an extension of the Geuzenbond’s, rooted in solidarism, which he characterized as a Flemish variant of classical Italian fascism. The GNSV denies that their members adhere to classical Italian fascism.[4]

Traditions and symbolism

[edit]

The GNSV's traditions and customs strongly resemble those of their Flemish counterpart, the NSV!. Their emblem is nearly identical, and they also wear gray wool caps trimmed with the association’s colors and sashes in matching colors across their chests.[1][4][10][14] This practice is common among Flemish student associations.[1][3] The Leiden chapter uses red-white-green colors, while the Nijmegen chapter uses black-gold-green.[18] These student attributes also draw parallels to German Burschenschaften, predominantly right-wing student associations that the GNSV cites as an inspiration.[4] Officially, the Prince's Flag is not used, although it does appear in social media posts. Dijk has stated that it is important to rehabilitate this flag, which is often associated with the 1930s National Socialist Movement (NSB), by placing it in a wider historical context regarding its origin during the Dutch Revolt.[17]

The initiation ritual includes three stages: a 'baptismal march,' followed by trials during the rush period, and concluding with a hazing.[3] The association also organizes cantuses and club nights, along with lectures, discussion evenings, and book discussions aimed at ideological development. Campaigns are conducted to promote the association’s ideology.[10][16]

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Trommelen, Jip; Suijkerbuijk, Mitchel (12 August 2023). "Rechts-nationalistische studentenclub wil voet aan de grond krijgen in 'links' Nijmegen: wie zijn het en wat willen ze?" [Right-wing nationalist student club seeks foothold in 'left-wing' Nijmegen: who are they and what do they want?]. De Gelderlander. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b Haenen, Marcel (21 August 2023). "Drie aanhoudingen na aanval op rechts-nationalistische studenten in Nijmegen" [Three arrests after attack on right-wing nationalist students in Nijmegen]. NRC. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Lambeets, Ken (18 August 2023). "Nieuwe conservatieve en nationalistische studentenvereniging staat op introductiemarkt" [New conservative and nationalist student association featured at introduction market]. Vox magazine (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Palm, Tobiah (30 August 2023). "Waar staat de 'extreemrechtse' Groot-Nederlandse Studentenvereniging voor?" [What does the 'far-right' Greater Dutch Student Association stand for?]. Trouw. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kraak, Haro (28 August 2024). "Gezellig bij de studentenvereniging, extreemrechts bij de jongerenbeweging: de nauwe banden tussen GNSV en Geuzenbond" [Cozy at the student association, far-right at the youth movement: the close ties between GNSV and Geuzenbond]. De Volkskrant. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Vervaart, Just (20 April 2024). "Studentenvereniging met extreemrechtse banden blijft welkom op Radboud Universiteit" [Student association with far-right ties remains welcome at Radboud University]. Omroep Gelderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Studentenvereniging GNSV: al vaker te maken gehad met bedreiging" [GNSV student association: has dealt with threats more often]. ZeelandNet Nieuws (in Dutch). 22 August 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  8. ^ Van Eekelen, Pieter (22 August 2023). "Burgemeester en rector over aanval op studenten: 'misselijk'" [Mayor and rector on attack on students: 'disgusting']. Omroep Gelderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  9. ^ Daams, Jasper (11 April 2024). "Vechtpartij op universiteitscampus Nijmegen blijft zonder consequenties: Antifa-leden vrijgesproken" [Fight on Nijmegen university campus remains without consequences: Antifa members acquitted]. De Volkskrant. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e Stoffelen, Anneke; Daams, Jasper (27 September 2023). "Is er plek voor een extreem-rechtse studentenclub op de Nederlandse campus?" [Is there room for a far-right student club on Dutch campuses?]. De Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  11. ^ a b Van Arendonk, Femke (22 April 2024). "Studentenvereniging met extreemrechtse connecties nog altijd welkom in Nijmegen" [Student association with far-right connections still welcome in Nijmegen]. Nationale Onderwijsgids (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  12. ^ a b De Waard, Chris (11 August 2024). "Leiden tegen Fascisme fel tegen aanwezigheid extreemrechtse studentenvereniging op EL CID-markt" [Leiden Against Fascism strongly opposes the presence of far-right student association at EL CID market]. Sleutelstad (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  13. ^ Tholen, Huub (19 August 2024). "Rechtse studentenvereniging stuit opnieuw op weerstand: 'Jullie geven een podium aan neonazi's'" [Right-wing student association faces renewed resistance: 'You are giving neo-Nazis a platform']. De Gelderlander. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "Studentenvereniging met extreemrechtse banden komt naar Utrecht" [Student association with far-right connections comes to Utrecht]. RTV Utrecht (in Dutch). 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Studentenvereniging met extreemrechtse banden wil afdeling in Utrecht" [Student association with far-right connections wants chapter in Utrecht]. De Utrechtse Internet Courant. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  16. ^ a b Versteeg, Lucas (8 January 2025). "Controversiële rechtse studentenvereniging GNSV krijgt Utrechtse afdeling" [Controversial right-wing student association GNSV to start Utrecht chapter]. Trajectum (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  17. ^ a b Mars, Chiara (25 February 2023). "Een nieuwe studentenvereniging met oud rechts geluid in Leiden: 'Bij deze groep is er sprake van geloof. Die houding staat op gespannen voet met de open houding van de wetenschap'" [A new student association with old right-wing ideas in Leiden: 'This group is about belief. That attitude conflicts with the open mindset of science']. Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  18. ^ Hesselink, Isabella; van Elven, Marjorie (14 January 2025). "Student association GNSV gets Utrecht-based branch, Association has been linked to far-right movements". DUB. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
Retrieved from "http://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Greater_Netherlands_Student_Association&oldid=1272799462"