Over 200,000 Join Amsterdam March Demanding Tougher Dutch Action Against Israel

Amsterdam: More than 200,000 people took part in a mass demonstration in Amsterdam on Sunday, urging the Dutch government to impose stronger measures against Israel over its military offensive in Gaza.

Many protesters dressed in red as they joined the “Red Line” march, organised to demand stricter trade sanctions against Israel, an official declaration that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide, and an end to all arms sales to the country.

The Dutch branch of Amnesty International, one of the organisers, said in an online statement that more than 200,000 people participated in the demonstration.

Protesters criticised the government's response to the situation in Gaza, accusing it of failing to take meaningful action against Israel.

The march moved along a major Amsterdam street that had been closed to traffic for the demonstration. Protesters repeatedly chanted “Free, free Palestine” as they made their way through the city.

Israel has strongly rejected allegations of genocide in Gaza. Its military offensive began after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's subsequent military campaign has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated large parts of the Gaza Strip.

More than 1,550 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October 2025, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.