Amsterdam: huge march for sanctions against Israel
Often dressed in red, the demonstrators demanded trade sanctions and an end to the arms trade with Israel. They also called on authorities to recognize the genocide in Gaza and act to end crimes against Palestinians and the illegal occupation.
The “Red Line” mobilization was led by a coalition of organizations, including Oxfam Novib, PAX, Save the Children, The Rights Forum, BDS Nederland and the Jewish collective Erev Rav. Humanitarian associations, human rights defenders and Palestine solidarity groups came together to demand concrete measures from the government.
This show of force comes as Israeli strikes continue in Gaza and settler violence against Palestinians intensifies in the occupied West Bank. Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who participated in a previous march in 2025, was absent this time and defends his government’s action.
This mobilization illustrates a political courage that too many European governments struggle to show. Faced with the genocide in Gaza and the crimes in the West Bank, mobilized citizens are demanding action, where their leaders too often remain at the stage of declarations. Their message is clear: convictions without consequences are no longer enough. Israel must be held accountable, and trade and military relations cannot continue as business as usual.
