Amsterdam protesters demand end to Dutch arms sales to Israel
Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through Amsterdam on Sunday to demand action against violence in Gaza and stop Dutch weapons exports.
Thousands march in red
Approximately 20,000 people dressed in crimson walked the streets of Amsterdam carrying signs that read Stop the Genocide. Organisers stated this number represented those who attended the Red Line protest demanding government intervention. Steven Eisinger, a 33-year-old robotics engineer from the United States, told Agence France-Presse to stop sending weapons to Israel. He wore a red scarf around his neck while speaking to reporters on the ground.
Campaigners call for sanctions
More than 200,000 people joined the march according to Amnesty International's Dutch branch which organised the event. Participants chanted Free free Palestine and called for formal recognition of genocide in Gaza by the Netherlands. Palestinian medical authorities reported a death toll of 74,643 with 175,962 wounded since the conflict began. Since the ceasefire on 11 October 2025, 1,613 Palestinians have been killed and 5,833 wounded in Gaza.
Government defends its stance
Prime Minister Rob Jetten skipped Sunday's protest but defended his administration at a weekly news conference on Friday. According to him, the state applies increased diplomatic and political influence urging Israel to honor its treaties. Last year, Caspar Veldkamp stepped down as foreign minister after losing cabinet support for additional sanctions. In September, the fresh minority coalition prohibited goods from unlawful Israeli settlements as Israel withdrew diplomatic credentials held by Dutch officials.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- South China Morning Post
- Middle East Eye
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