Over 200,000 Protesters Demonstrate in Amsterdam Demanding Restrictions on Israel

More than 200,000 people participated in the 'Red Line' march in Amsterdam, Netherlands, calling on their government to take stricter measures regarding the Israeli war on Gaza, according to an announcement by Amnesty International's Dutch branch, one of the event's organizers.

Many protesters wore red clothing and held signs demanding a halt to arms deals with Israel and tighter trade restrictions. One participant, Mike van Dongen, said: "What is happening there is inhumane. In my view, the government is doing nothing. It doesn't dare take serious steps."

This was the second march of its kind following a similar event in early October of last year, preceded by 'Red Line' demonstrations in The Hague in June. Since October 2023, at least 74,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 21,000 children.

On the government side, Prime Minister Rob Yetten—who participated in last year's march but did not attend on Sunday—defended his government's position, saying that "every day and every week we do everything we can to ease the terrible situation there," emphasizing that his administration is exerting "greater political and diplomatic pressure" on Israel. The minority coalition government, which took office in February, had imposed a ban on imports of Israeli settlement products, which sparked a diplomatic dispute with Israel. The Dutch Foreign Minister had previously resigned after failing to secure new sanctions against Israel.