Hundreds of thousands join Amsterdam’s ‘Red Line’ protest against Israel
News Source
•Sun, 08 Nov 2026 17:44:51 +0000
📰 What Happened
More than 200,000 people marched through Amsterdam on Sunday in a protest organisers called the "Red Line". Many wore red clothing. The Dutch branch of Amnesty International, one of the organisers, gave the figure. Marchers packed Museum Square and called for tighter trade rules on Israel and a halt to all arms sales.
They walked along a normally busy street that was closed to traffic. Some shouted "Free, free Palestine" as they passed. One marcher, Mike van Dongen, said what is happening in Gaza is inhumane and that Dutch leaders are doing nothing.
🔍 The Backstory
The march was similar to a large protest held in early October last year. Organisers say it is meant to pressure the Dutch government over its economic and military ties with Israel. The Netherlands has traded with Israel for decades.
Al Jazeera reports that at least 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, including 21,000 children. Large street protests over the war have become common in European cities. Governments face growing pressure to limit arms sales.
🎯 Why It Matters
Big street protests can change what governments feel able to do, including on arms sales. For people in Gaza and Israel, those decisions can mean life or death.
More than 200,000 people marched through Amsterdam on Sunday in a protest organisers called the "Red Line". Many wore red clothing. The Dutch branch of Amnesty International, one of the organisers, gave the figure. Marchers packed Museum Square and called for tighter trade rules on Israel and a halt to all arms sales.
They walked along a normally busy street that was closed to traffic. Some shouted "Free, free Palestine" as they passed. One marcher, Mike van Dongen, said what is happening in Gaza is inhumane and that Dutch leaders are doing nothing.
The march was similar to a large protest held in early October last year. Organisers say it is meant to pressure the Dutch government over its economic and military ties with Israel. The Netherlands has traded with Israel for decades.
Al Jazeera reports that at least 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, including 21,000 children. Large street protests over the war have become common in European cities. Governments face growing pressure to limit arms sales.
Big street protests can change what governments feel able to do, including on arms sales. For people in Gaza and Israel, those decisions can mean life or death.