Over 100,000 protest Dutch Israel policy in The Hague
More than 100,000 people gathered Sunday in The Hague to protest the Dutch government’s stance on Israel and the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in what organizers called the Netherlands’ largest demonstration in the past 20 years, according to NOS.
The protest, which proceeded peacefully, began around 1 p.m. at Malieveld, a large public field in The Hague, but the area was already filling with crowds well before the official start time. The entire Malieveld and the surrounding roads were eventually packed with demonstrators, and streams of participants continued to arrive as the protest continued. A police spokesperson confirmed the event unfolded calmly and reporters on the scene described a peaceful and determined atmosphere.
Participants wore red clothing to symbolically draw a “red line,” a message aimed at the Dutch government, demanding it take action against what they described as Israel’s continued violations of international humanitarian law. “Prime Minister Schoof refuses to draw a red line. That’s why we’re doing it,” organizers stated.
The demonstration attracted a broad cross-section of the population, with people of all ages taking part. Protesters included many older citizens, as well as parents with children. Large groups walked from The Hague Central Station to Malieveld, and tram services were temporarily suspended to accommodate the flow of people.
From Malieveld, the demonstrators marched through the city to the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ is currently hearing a genocide case against Israel and last year issued a preliminary ruling ordering the country to protect Gaza’s civilian population and to allow humanitarian aid into the territory. Israel has so far failed to comply with the court’s orders.
The event was organized by a coalition of humanitarian and human rights organizations and pro-Palestinian advocacy groups. Among them were 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).
In early April, five of the organizations met with Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp. Michiel Servaes, director of Oxfam Novib, told NOS he was “deeply shocked” that the government failed to draw a clear red line despite the “ongoing violations of international law” and worsening humanitarian conditions. The government responded that it believed diplomacy remained the most effective tool.
Roughly ten days before the protest, Minister Veldkamp announced a tougher approach. He openly criticized Israel’s continued humanitarian blockade of Gaza, stating it no longer respected human rights or democratic principles. He also called for a European investigation into whether Israel is complying with the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Despite this shift, the Dutch government continues to emphasize Israel’s right to self-defense and the need to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The Netherlands has increased its diplomatic pressure on Israel, but has not imposed sanctions. This approach reflects political sensitivities, including the support for Israel by the PVV, the largest party in the current governing coalition.
The firmer stance has caused tensions with the PVV. In recent weeks, the Netherlands summoned the Israeli ambassador and threatened to block new EU cooperation agreements with Israel unless a human rights inquiry is launched.
“The proportions seem completely lost in how Israel thinks it should defend itself,” Veldkamp said. Human rights organizations cautiously welcomed the shift, noting this was the first time the Dutch government had mentioned possible consequences for Israel.
