In brief

• Organizers say more than 200,000 people joined the "Red Line" march in Amsterdam against Israel's conduct in Gaza.
• Protesters urged the Dutch government to press Israel, classify its actions as genocide, and impose trade sanctions and an arms embargo.
• Police described the march as largely peaceful; Prime Minister Jetten did not attend.

Large march through the city centre

The demonstration started on Sunday in Amsterdam and was organized under the slogan "Red Line". Participants wore red clothing and carried large red and Palestinian flags, along with placards reading "Zionism is racism" and "The Netherlands does not support apartheid" (В Амстердамі – протест проти політики Нідерландів щодо Ізраїлю – Європейська правда). The route began and ended at Museumplein, where a large stage was set up for speeches.

Demands on The Hague

According to the organizers, more than 200,000 people took part in the march (Niederlande - Mehr als 200.000 Menschen protestieren in Amsterdam gegen Israels Vorgehen im Gazastreifen – Deutschlandfunk). Amnesty International in the Netherlands, which co-organized the event, reported a figure of more than 200,000 as well (Amsterdam: Zehntausende demonstrieren gegen Israels Gaza-Politik – tagesschau.de). The protesters asked the Dutch government to press Israel harder and to formally classify Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide. They also called for tougher trade sanctions and a halt to all arms sales to Israel.

Organizers specifically urged the government to apply maximum political, economic and diplomatic pressure to end what they describe as the illegal occupation of Palestine.

Police and political context

Police said the protest remained largely peaceful, and the route was lined with officers. Prime Minister Jetten did not attend the march.

Relations between the Netherlands and Israel have been strained for some time. Last year the Dutch foreign minister resigned after failing to push through new sanctions against Israel. In July of last year, the Dutch government summoned Israel's ambassador over the situation in Gaza and imposed an entry ban on two far-right Israeli ministers.

Figures at a glance

• Participants, according to organizers: more than 200,000
• Participants, according to Amnesty International in the Netherlands: more than 200,000