Almere, Netherlands : In a moving and symbolic act of remembrance, at least 18,000 pairs of children’s shoes were placed at Stadhuisplein (City Hall Square) in Almere, Netherlands, to honour the memory of Palestinian children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The powerful installation formed part of the 12th annual commemoration organised by the Dutch human rights group Plant an Olive Tree (Plant een Olijfboom) on June 2, reported the Viory.
Images and drone footage of the event captured rows upon rows of small shoes, accompanied by teddy bears and banners with poignant messages such as “Let Gaza Live.” During the ceremony, the names and ages of the deceased children were read aloud, creating an emotional atmosphere that resonated across social media platforms.
Volunteers interacted with onlookers, distributing informative brochures and raising awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The event aimed to highlight the grave impact of the Israeli offensive on Palestinian civilians, especially children, under a brutal and prolonged blockade.
Esther van der Most, Director of the Plant an Olive Tree Foundation, emphasized the urgent need for international action:
“We’ve hosted similar displays throughout the Netherlands. It’s tragic that we still have to remind the world that children are being killed. Israel must be held accountable. This cannot continue.”
She further criticized the Dutch government’s passive stance, stating that only strict sanctions, not mere diplomatic efforts, could halt the violence. “Even if the bombings stop today, our struggle will continue until Palestine is fully free,” she added.
This is not the first such symbolic protest. A similar display involving 14,000 pairs of shoes was held in Utrecht’s Vredenburg Square in March 2024.
According to official reports, since October 2023, more than 56,530 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, including over 17,400 children, while 133,642 others have been injured.
The memorial installation served not only as a haunting visual reminder of the devastating loss but also as a call to conscience for the international community to take action against what many are calling a genocide.
