Tens of thousands protest in Amsterdam demanding stronger action from Dutch government over Gaza

Tens of thousands of protesters, many wearing red clothing, took to the streets of Amsterdam on Sunday in a massive demonstration demanding stronger action from the Dutch government against Israel over Gaza.

The march was part of the "Red Line protests held across the Netherlands, with organizers calling for measures such as stricter trade sanctions on Israel and an official declaration that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide. Additionally, they are urging the halt of all arms sales to Israel.

Protesters were joined by Amnesty International, which claimed over 200,000 people participated in the march.

The protesters expressed their frustration with the Dutch government's response to the situation in Gaza, with many feeling that it has been too passive and unwilling to take decisive action against Israel.

As the protesters made their way through Amsterdam's streets, a loud speaker on a bus stop echoed through the air, chanting Free, free Palestine!" The crowd's energy was palpable as they marched along, the chant growing louder and more insistent.

The Israeli government has repeatedly denied allegations that it is committing genocide in Gaza during its military campaign. This campaign began after Hamas-led militants launched attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and hundreds of hostages taken.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 1,550 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was established in October 2025. The ministry's numbers are based on data that does not differentiate between civilians and militants, but indicates that roughly half of those who have died were women or children.

The ongoing conflict has strained relations between the Netherlands and Israel, with tensions reaching a boiling point last year when the Dutch foreign minister resigned after failing to secure new sanctions against Israel.

The minority coalition government in the Netherlands has taken a firm stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by imposing an import ban on products from Israeli settlements.

This move has sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries, as most of the international community considers these settlements to be illegal.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten defended his government's actions at a recent press conference, stating that they are working tirelessly to alleviate the dire situation in Gaza.