Dutch security services probe anti-Islam politician for Israeli links

BRUSSELS, Dec 2 (KUNA) -- The Dutch security service AIVD has investigated the Dutch anti-Islam and anti-immigrant politician Geert Wilders' for his Israeli contacts in 2009 and 2010 because of questions about his loyalty and possible outside influence, the Dutch daily Volkskrant reported on Friday. The paper said Wilders had close connections with a number of influential Israelis until 2010 and often visited the Israeli ambassador to the Netherlands.
It says the investigation is unusual because the AIVD is usually reluctant to look into sitting politicians. It also involves a risk because the secret service is an extension of the government as it examines requested politicians, especially those of the opposition.
On the other hand, a secret service should be alert to improper interference of foreign governments in the Netherlands, or if there is a threat to national security. Information about the Middle East is often high on the agenda of the secret services, noted the report.
The paper said that a candidate for Wilder's Freedom Party, Gidi Markuszower, was forced to withdraw from elections in 2010 as he posed a risk the integrity of the Netherlands' because of contacts with the Israeli secret service Mossad. (end) nk.msa