Around 100,000 people gathered in The Hague, Netherlands, to protest against the government’s pro-Israel policies.
The demonstration, jointly organized by a number of international and local NGOs, took place in Malieveld Square under the slogan “Draw a red line for Gaza”.
The demonstrators gathered in the square wearing red clothing symbolizing the red line. More than 80 NGOs attended the event, including the Dutch branches of many international NGOs, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, as well as local human rights organizations, Palestinian support groups, women’s, children’s and humanitarian associations.
According to official figures, the demonstration was attended by more than 70,000 people, while Oxfam Novib, one of the NGOs organizing the event, announced that 100,000 people attended.
Speeches at the demonstration emphasized that hundreds of people had died of hunger in Gaza since March. Speakers accused the Dutch government of being silent about Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The protesters demanded that the government adopt a tougher policy towards Israel, end military and political support and impose sanctions.
Talks held by some NGOs with the government on these issues in April were said to have yielded no results.
Amnesty International said in a statement that the government of Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof had failed to draw a “red line” and had refused to take steps to end impunity, despite Israel’s continued violations of the laws of war.
The protesters marched behind a banner reading: “Draw a red line for Gaza” and chanted slogans such as “Schoof’s government is deaf”, “Shame on the government, your hands are bloody”, “The Netherlands pays, Israel bombs”, “Liberate Palestine”, “No peace in the occupied territories”, “Stop the genocide”, “Stop the killing of children”.
During the march, the protesters passed the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice and the Dutch Parliament, before returning to Malieveld Square.
This demonstration is considered the largest demonstration in support of Palestine held in the Netherlands in recent years, AA writes.
Photo: MENAFN
