Massive 'Red Line' Protest in Amsterdam Demands Tougher Dutch Stance on Gaza War

Quarter-Million Gather in Amsterdam for Gaza

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, an estimated 250,000 people converged in Amsterdam for a massive 'Red Line' protest, demanding that the Dutch government adopt a tougher stance regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The demonstration, which began at Museumplein and included a 6.2-kilometer march through the city center, was one of the largest pro-Palestine gatherings in the Netherlands to date. Police officials deemed the organizers' estimate of participants 'entirely plausible'.

Demands for Sanctions and Ceasefire Echo Through Capital

Demonstrators, many clad in red to symbolize a 'red line' they believe the government has crossed, called for immediate and decisive action. Their core demands included:

• A permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
• Immediate political, economic, and diplomatic sanctions against Israel.
• An end to arms exports to Israel.
• Unconditional, sufficient, and safe access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
• Support for investigations into alleged war crimes and genocide, and accountability for those responsible.
• An end to violence in the West Bank and the 'illegal occupation of Palestine'.

Chants such as 'Amsterdam says no to genocide' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' resonated through the streets. Protesters carried signs with messages like 'Israel shame on you!' and 'Your silence is violence, educate yourself'.

Broad Coalition Organizes Third 'Red Line' Event

The protest was coordinated by a coalition of 134 organizations, including prominent groups such as Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib, PAX, Save the Children, Doctors for Gaza, BDS Netherlands, Dutch Scholars for Palestine, and The Rights Forum. This Amsterdam demonstration marked the third 'Red Line' event in the Netherlands, following earlier rallies in The Hague in May (with approximately 100,000 participants) and June (drawing around 150,000 participants). The timing of the protest was particularly significant, occurring less than a month before national elections, aiming to pressure political leaders to address the issue.

Government Responds Amidst Political Division

Caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof acknowledged the protesters' sentiments, stating he understood 'the anger, concerns and feelings of powerlessness' of those demonstrating. He reiterated the government's commitment to working towards a 'lasting and just peace in the Middle East' and emphasized the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. Foreign Minister David van Weel indicated that it was 'unlikely' the government would approve the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. However, the protests also drew criticism from figures like Geert Wilders, leader of the Netherlands' largest coalition party, who posted on X that demonstrating against Israel 'shows that hatred has triumphed over reason' and that such demonstrators 'do not want peace'.