Organizers say 200,000 marched in Amsterdam, urging the Dutch government to act on Gaza. Four people were arrested.
Organizers say about 200,000 people marched through Amsterdam on Sunday to press the Dutch government to take stronger action against Israel over Gaza. The Associated Press and AFP described the crowd as tens of thousands. Many demonstrators wore red and carried signs reading “Stop the Genocide.”
The “Red Line” protest, the fourth of its kind, began at Museumplein. Participants called on the government to cut military and economic ties with Israel. One demonstrator told AFP the Netherlands should stop sending weapons to Israel. The event was organized by humanitarian and rights groups, including Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib and Save the Children.
The protest was largely peaceful, though local media reported four arrests and some clashes between police and demonstrators along the route. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said public concern over the situation in the Palestinian territories is understandable. He said the government remains committed to stability in the Middle East, improved humanitarian conditions in Gaza and a viable, independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.
Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who joined an earlier Red Line protest before taking office, did not attend. He said his current role would make participation inappropriate. AFP noted that, unlike France and Belgium, the Netherlands has not recognized a Palestinian state. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October last year.
This report draws on AFP, The Associated Press, Xinhua and NL Times.