UNDATED (WHTC-AM/FM) — Johan Wilhelm van Hulst, a World War II hero and former member of the Dutch Senate, has died, according to a statement from The Netherlands’ Senate. Mr. van Hulst was 107; he died on March 22.
Best known as the Dutch teacher who joined the World War II resistance and saved more than 600 Jewish babies and children from a Hollandsche Schouwburg nursery, he served in The Netherlands’ senate from 1956 to 1981, according to the statement.
Mr. van Hulst also served as a member of the European Parliment from 1961-68, according to the statement, and as chairman of the Christian-Historical Union (CHU) from 1968 to 1977. He was the first leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal, a post he held until 1981.
During his lifetime, he was honored by Israelis for his heroism. A Jewish belief is that saving one life is the same as saving the universe.
