 However, in recent years there has been an upsurge in antisemitic hate crimes.In the mid 17th century, Peter Stuyvesant, the last Director-General of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, sought to maintain the position of the Dutch Reformed Church refusing to allow other denominations such as Lutherans, Catholics and Quakers the right to organize a church.He also described Jews as "deceitful", "very repugnant", and "hateful enemies and blasphemers of the name of Christ".