Amsterdam crowd hits 200,000 in Red Line protest over Gaza
Amnesty International’s Dutch branch counted the participants who marched on Sunday, demanding an end to Dutch arms sales and stricter trade sanctions against Israel.
By Beatriz Soto ·
More than 200,000 people marched through Amsterdam on Sunday, according to Amnesty International’s Dutch branch, one of the event organizers. The crowd, many of whom wore red for the Red Line protest, moved through the city to pressure the Dutch government to halt arms sales to Israel. Participants also called for tougher trade sanctions related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The demonstration marked a significant escalation in public pressure on the Netherlands to formally recognize Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. Marchers also denounced what they described as Israeli apartheid in the occupied West Bank. Chants of “Free, free Palestine!” echoed through the streets as the crowd gathered to demand concrete policy shifts from the Dutch administration.
Mike van Dongen, a marcher, told The Associated Press that the situation in Gaza was “inhumane.” He criticized the Dutch government for inaction, stating, “As far as I’m concerned, they are doing nothing,” and added, “They don’t dare take any serious steps.” His comments reflect the frustration felt by many attendees who believe current diplomatic efforts are insufficient to address the crisis.
Palestinian medical authorities report that 74,643 people have died in Gaza, with 175,962 wounded. The death toll includes approximately 22,000 children, while thousands remain missing under the rubble. Since the ceasefire that took effect on 11 October 2025, 1,613 Palestinians have been killed and 5,833 wounded in Gaza. Additionally, more than 4,000 people have died in Israel’s war on Lebanon since March.
Legal proceedings against Israeli officials continue at the International Criminal Court. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. In May, prosecutors applied under seal for a warrant to arrest Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over similar charges related to the occupied West Bank, as previously reported by Middle East Eye.
The protest comes at a time of strained relations between the Netherlands and Israel. Caspar Veldkamp resigned as foreign minister last year after failing to secure cabinet support for additional sanctions. The current minority coalition banned imports from illegal Israeli settlements in September, a move that prompted Israel to revoke the accreditation of Dutch diplomats. Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who joined a Red Line march last year, did not participate in Sunday’s event. On Friday, he defended his government’s stance, saying, “Every single day and every single week, we do what we can to alleviate the terrible situation there.” He noted that his administration is exerting greater political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to adhere to its agreements on Gaza.
