More than 200,000 join 'red line' march in Amsterdam against Israel policy

More than 200,000 people took to the streets of Amsterdam on Sunday, demanding that the government act against Israel over the Gaza war. The Dutch branch of Amnesty International, one of the organisations behind the march, confirmed the figure.

Marchers dressed in red urged the government to tighten trade restrictions on Israel, completely halt arms sales and impose sanctions. Held under the theme "no money for the destruction of humanity", it was the fourth "red line" march the country has seen.

"What is happening there is inhumane. The government dares do nothing; it hesitates to take any real action," said marcher Mike van Dongen. People marched along roads closed to traffic, chanting "Free Palestine". Museum Square was packed with people.

At least 74,000 Palestinians, including 21,000 children, have been killed in the Gaza war that began in October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities. Human rights organisations accuse Israel of continuing attacks almost daily even after a ceasefire took effect on 10 October last year.

The war has strained Netherlands-Israel relations. The Dutch foreign minister resigned last year after failing to secure new sanctions against Israel. The new minority coalition government, which took office in February, banned imports of goods from Israeli settlements considered illegal internationally, causing diplomatic friction with Israel.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten said his government "does what it can, day in and week out, to reduce the tragic situation there" and was applying "maximum political and diplomatic pressure" on Israel to honour the Gaza agreements.