For the second time in a month, tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands donned themselves in red and took to the streets of The Hague in solidarity with Palestine.
In a demonstration just as impressive as the march that took place on May 18, protestors drew a “Red Line for Palestine” on Sunday, June 15.
More specifically, they gathered to represent a symbolic red line that the Dutch government should be drawing by taking a stronger stance against Israel.
Even more than last time
According to NOS reporters on the scene, it appears that even more protestors took part in the march than last time, with over 100,000 estimated to have made it to the Malieveld.
In fact, organisers are reporting that no less than 150,000 people took part in the march.
Last month’s march was the largest protest the country had seen in 20 years with over 100,000 people showing up, and if organisers are correct, this record has been broken again.
Not enough is being done
Speaking with NOS reporters in The Hague, protestors explained their frustrations with the outgoing Cabinet’s approach to Israel.
“Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip are beyond all bounds, we need to urge the government in the Netherlands to draw a red line. The videos are no longer tolerable,” one protestor says.
“There is a genocide happening and I just can’t watch it and contribute to it with my tax money,” says another.
Dagmar Oudshoorn, director of Amnesty International Netherlands, tells the NOS that while the government has taken some action, they need to do more.
“You see cautious steps, for example, Minister Veldkamp has asked the European Union to look at the association agreement with Israel. But that is not enough.”
And did Schoof turn up?
When this march was announced, organisers invited outgoing prime minister Schoof to take part and address everyone — and did he?
No. Instead, Schoof declined the invitation, letting organisers know he would not be attending.
However, he did make sure to address protestors on X, saying “We see you and we hear you… our goal is ultimately the same: to put an end to the suffering in Gaza as quickly as possible.”
While he didn’t show up, a significant amount of others certainly did.
Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮
