Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through Amsterdam yesterday, calling for the Dutch government to take a tougher stance against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Organisers estimated that around 250,000 people joined the demonstration – a figure supported by local police. Most wore red to signal their support for a symbolic ‘red line’ against Israel’s siege of Gaza.
The ‘red line march’ followed a similar massive protest in The Hague in May, and was planned weeks ahead of the announcement by US President Donald Trump of his plan to end the war.
The PAX Netherlands organisers said they hoped for peace in Gaza, but added that Trump’s plan had not changed their resolve.
Protesters of all ages weathered the rain to join a 6-kilometre march through the Dutch capital, waving Palestinian flags, chanting ‘Free, free Palestine’ and carrying signs reading ‘Israel shame on you!’ and ‘we are not free until Gaza is free’.
“We are here to condemn everything that is happening in Gaza,” said 27-year old Emilia Rivero, who travelled from the central city of Utrecht. “I feel this is the least we can do, seeing the horrors in Gaza.”
Organisers said the Dutch government was not doing enough to stop Israel from committing war crimes in Gaza and demanded action from politicians, just over three weeks before the Netherlands heads to the polls for a general election on October 29.
“We hope there will be a real ceasefire very, very soon and people will be protected, receive humanitarian aid, and be able to be safe. But we are also worried about the long-term commitment of Israel to stop the genocide,” PAX Netherlands director Rolien Sasse told Reuters.
Eight people were arrested and 20 police officers injured in clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and police in Barcelona, police said yesterday.
Demonstrators vandalised shops, which they claimed had links to Israel, during a mainly peaceful march of 70,000 protesters on Saturday, police said.
Tens of thousands took part in protests in Madrid and scores of other Spanish cities as well as demonstrations in Rome and Lisbon amid anger after the Israeli interception of the Global Sumud aid flotilla.
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