Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through The Hague on Sunday, demanding that the Dutch government adopt a stronger stance against Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
“We haven’t seen anything like this since the start of the war. There are people from all walks of life. They have come from cities all over the Netherlands,” said Al Jazeera English correspondent Step Vaessen.
Wearing red clothing, the protesters formed a striking “red line” to symbolize their demand for the government to sever ties with Israel—specifically by ending trade relations and halting the import and export of weapons.
“Prime Minister Schoof refuses to draw a red line. That’s why we’re doing it,” organizers said.
The organizers described it as the country’s largest demonstration in two decades, claiming that over 100,000 people participated.
Human rights groups and aid organizations, including Amnesty International, Save the Children, and Doctors Without Borders, also estimated the peaceful crowd at over 100,000.
The protest was coordinated by a coalition of humanitarian, human rights, and pro-Palestinian advocacy organizations. These included Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders (Artsen zonder Grenzen), Save the Children, Pax, Oxfam Novib, The Rights Forum, and Plant an Olive Tree (Plant een Olijfboom).
Starting from Malieveld, the demonstrators marched through the city toward the Peace Palace, the seat of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ is currently hearing a genocide case against Israel and, in a preliminary ruling last year, ordered Israel to protect Gaza’s civilian population and allow humanitarian aid into the territory—directives Israel has so far failed to comply with.
