Holocaust survivors returning to their native Holland immediately following World War II encountered negative reactions from Dutch non-Jews expressed variously in obstructive bureaucratic red tape, a lack of understanding and reluctance to believe, self-interest regarding material restitution, and a pervasive anti-Semitism. The situation was exacerbated owing to the Dutch government's failure to distinguish between Jewish and non-Jewish Nazi victims as a matter of policy, prefernce being given to former Resistance fighters. It was not until 1971 that a law was passed to extend positive aid to Dutch Jewish survivors of World War II who needed support.