The Dutch, Unveiled

The Netherlands has decided to ban face-covering veils, because apparently that worked well in France.

The Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced Friday that he would ban veils that cover the face, including niqabs and certain kinds of burqa. Citing them as an impediment to the Dutch way of life, Rutte said the policy did not restrict religious freedom (for non-Muslims, at least.) In addition to the ban on full-face veils, Rutte announced a crackdown on immigration, introducing a requirement that those who wish to become Dutch must first prove they have an income and have not received financial support for a minimum of three years. The measures will be seen by the council of state, the administrative court, and then parliament.