Kees Schalker (full name: Cornelis Schalker; born November 10, 1890, Amsterdam, Netherlands – died July 4, 1944, Auschwitz, German-occupied Poland) was a Dutch communist politician, journalist, and resistance fighter.
Born in Amsterdam, Schalker initially worked as a diamond worker, a profession that often exposed him to the socialist movement. He became an active member of the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP) but, like many radical socialists, left the party to join the Communist Party of Holland (CPH, later Communist Party of the Netherlands, CPN) in its early years.
Within the CPH, Schalker rose to prominence as a leading figure. He served as an editor for the party's main newspaper, De Tribune, which played a crucial role in disseminating communist ideology and news. His journalistic work was central to the party's communication strategy. From 1933 to 1937, he was a member of the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) for the CPH, representing the party's interests in the Dutch parliament during a period of significant political and economic upheaval.
Following the German invasion and occupation of the Netherlands in May 1940, Schalker became actively involved in the Dutch resistance. He continued his political work underground, helping to organize clandestine activities and maintain the communist resistance network. His involvement in the resistance made him a target for the Gestapo.
Kees Schalker was arrested by the German authorities. He was subsequently deported to Auschwitz concentration camp in German-occupied Poland, where he was murdered on July 4, 1944. He is remembered as a prominent Dutch communist leader and a victim of Nazi persecution.