Pro-Israel demonstration in Amstelveen ahead of October 7 anniversary

Several Jewish organizations will hold a demonstration in the center of Amstelveen on Sunday evening to show their solidarity with Israel. The "Together for Israel" demonstration is being held because Monday marks exactly one year since the deadly Hamas attack on Israel.

Several politicians will speak, including MPs Caroline van der Plas (BBB) and Don Ceder (ChristenUnie). Members of the House of Lords Boris Dittrich (D66) and Annabel Nanninga (JA21) will also address the audience. Furthermore, writers and columnists Leon de Winter (Telegraaf) and Aylin Bilic (NRC) will hold a speech at the demonstration, as will Grandfather Yucha Engel of the kidnapped Ofir, who was released after 54 days.

According to the organizers, the event on the City Square is dedicated to "solidarity, mourning, commemoration, and connection." In addition to politicians, family members of an Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas will also speak. In the afternoon, a replica of an underground tunnel in Gaza can be seen on the square. According to the Israeli authorities, several Israeli hostages are being held in such tunnels by Hamas.

The Center for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI), among others, organizes the demonstration. The municipality of Amstelveen has stated that the organizers are primarily responsible for the safety of the event. "Of course, the government is also preparing in the usual way to ensure that the event runs smoothly and peacefully." As far as we know, no counter-demonstrations have been registered, according to the municipality.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out a terrorist attack on Israel. Around 1,200 people were killed, and around 250 were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. The attack will be commemorated in several places in our country on Monday.