Video: Schoof’s speech disrupted by smoke bomb during Liberation Day in Wageningen

Pro-Palestinian protests disrupted the Dutch Liberation Day ceremonies in Wageningen on May 5, first interrupting Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans’ speech and later forcing Prime Minister Dick Schoof off stage when a smoke bomb exploded during his address. Both incidents were part of protests against the Dutch government’s stance on the Gaza conflict, NOS reported.

Schoof, who had just lit the liberation flame at the main stage alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, was forced to leave the stage with Tusk after the smoke bomb exploded. The bomb went off just after Schoof’s speech, where he had urged the public to celebrate and protect freedom. "Freedom should be celebrated with friends, family, and loved ones. But don’t forget, freedom must be protected. Make this a wonderful Liberation Day," he had said. The disturbance abruptly ended his address. Tusk called the smoke bomb “inappropriate” and “unwelcome."

Earlier, Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans’ speech at the 5 Mei Square had also been interrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Some protesters climbed over fences and chanted "Free Palestine," leading to the detention of five individuals for disturbing public order.

The protests continued throughout the day. A group of 250 to 300 demonstrators marched through Wageningen, displaying a large red banner calling for stronger action against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Placards with messages such as "Give hate no power" and "Never again, then, now, never more" echoed their opposition to Israel’s military actions and demanded a clear stance from the Dutch government.

Wageningen Mayor Floor Vermeulen condemned the protests, noting that while expressing opinions was allowed, the actions had crossed the line into disruption. "Demonstrating is allowed, even on May 5, but this was not demonstration—it was disruption," Vermeulen said. He also pointed out that the protests had not been authorized on the festival grounds, where no such actions were allowed. Vermeulen expressed regret over the disruption aimed at Schoof and Tusk, offering apologies to both leaders. "This simply cannot happen," he added.

Schoof addressed the protests, acknowledging the right to demonstrate but expressing disappointment over the lack of dignity on such an important day of national commemoration. "It is just unfortunate," Schoof said. "I had hoped we would celebrate our freedom with more respect, especially on days like May 4 and 5." He emphasized that the protests, largely focused on Gaza, were not the right context for the events, which were meant to honor the freedom of the Netherlands and those who fought for it.

Separate from the protests, Tusk’s earlier remarks during the lecture took a broader view, focusing on the state of freedom in Europe today. The Polish prime minister said that the “comfort of freedom” Europe once knew is gone. He pointed to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine as evidence that the continent’s security can no longer be taken for granted. “We can only overcome this if we stand together,” Tusk said, recalling the lessons of World War II. He noted that more than a decade ago, he had hoped the memory of past atrocities would prevent future evil. “But that was not the case,” he said.

“War and destruction have returned to Europe with full force since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Tusk continued, citing atrocities in Bucha, Mariupol, and “many other places.” Solidarity, he said, is “the most important word in my political vocabulary.” In what he called a “dark hour,” Tusk called for strength and resolve across the continent. He also praised the role of Polish soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi Germany. “We must become as strong and courageous as the Polish soldiers who fought here 80 years ago,” he said. “We owe it to them.”