Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through The Hague yesterday, demanding a firmer stance from the Dutch government against the Israeli war in Gaza.
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Oxfam Novib, which organized the rally, stated that around 100.000 demonstrators joined the march, most dressed in red, expressing a desire to establish a “red line” against the Israeli siege of Gaza, which has cut off the supply of medical aid, food, and fuel.
The column of demonstrators passed by the headquarters of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), before which South Africa initiated proceedings accusing Israel of genocide. Last year, the court ordered Israel to halt its military assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
Israel rejects the genocide accusations as unfounded and claims before the court that its operations in Gaza are acts of self-defense aimed at Hamas members who attacked Israel on October 7th.
Oxfam Novib emphasized that the Dutch government is ignoring what it called war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza and called on demonstrators to demand a more decisive stance.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Caspar Veldkamp earlier this month stated that he wants the European Union (EU) to reconsider its cooperation agreements with Israel.
However, the Dutch government has so far refrained from stronger criticism, and the leader of the largest party in the ruling coalition, anti-Muslim populist Geert Wilders, has repeatedly expressed strong support for Israel.
According to earlier reports from Gaza, at least 130 people were killed in the latest Israeli attacks.
Photo: illustration
