In a powerful display of solidarity with Palestine, over 150,000 people gathered in The Hague, Netherlands, on Sunday for a massive demonstration against Israel’s continued military offensive and humanitarian blockade on Gaza. Organized by several rights groups, including Amnesty International and Oxfam Novib, the protest—dubbed the “Red Line” march—drew participants of all ages, many of whom were dressed in red to symbolize the bloodshed in Gaza, reported the Al Jazeera.
Chanting slogans like “Free Palestine” and “Stop genocide,” the demonstrators formed a human red line as they marched past the International Court of Justice, demanding the Dutch government take decisive action to halt Israel’s aggression and atrocities in Palestine.
Banners carried by the protesters bore powerful messages such as “Stop Dutch complicity” and “Be silent when kids sleep, not when they die.” The protest was reportedly even larger than the historic one held last month, already considered one of the biggest in two decades.
Michiel Servaes, director of Oxfam Novib, confirmed the attendance of more than 150,000 people, all calling for immediate and concrete sanctions against Israel to end what has been widely described as an ongoing genocide in Gaza. Protesters also denounced Israel’s recent military operations in Iran.
In response, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, leader of the caretaker government following the collapse of the Dutch ruling coalition earlier this month, acknowledged the protest. Posting on social media, he stated: “To all those people in The Hague I say: we see you and we hear you.” Schoof emphasized that the Netherlands remains committed to ending the violence and lifting the humanitarian blockade, aiming for a ceasefire and increased aid to the suffering population in Gaza.
However, human rights groups have criticized Schoof and the Dutch government for their perceived double standards—swiftly condemning countries like Russia for war crimes while hesitating to hold Israel accountable or impose any sanctions. Critics accuse the Netherlands of failing to draw a “red line” against Israel’s violations of international law.
As of June 11, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the death toll from Israel’s siege that began on October 7, 2023, has reached at least 55,104 Palestinians killed and 127,394 injured.
