Over 200,000 Take To Amsterdam Streets In 'Red Line' Protest, Demand Action Against Israel

More than 200,000 people marched through Amsterdam on Sunday (November 8) in the Netherlands’ fourth ‘Red Line’ protest, demanding stronger government action against Israel over its war in Gaza. Amnesty International Netherlands, an organiser, gave the attendance estimate; police did not independently confirm it.

Many demonstrators wore red and carried Palestinian flags and banners reading “Free Palestine” and “No Money for Genocide”. The march began and ended at Museumplein, passing around Vondelpark. Thirteen organisations, including Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib, PAX and Save the Children, backed the rally.

Protesters demanded an end to direct and indirect arms sales and military cooperation with Israel, wider trade restrictions covering services linked to Israeli settlements, and stronger political, economic and diplomatic pressure. They also called for recognition of Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and accountability under international law. Campaigners cited services such as Booking.com, which lists accommodation in occupied Palestinian territories, as commercial activity they want restricted.

The turnout was the second-largest for the Red Line movement. An Amsterdam march in October 2025 drew around 250,000 people, while earlier demonstrations in The Hague attracted about 100,000 and 150,000.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who joined a previous march in 2025, stayed away, saying it would be inappropriate to participate as head of government. He defended his administration’s approach, saying it was applying diplomatic pressure on Israel and pressing Hamas to honour the ceasefire. His minority coalition government introduced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in September. Israel retaliated by revoking the accreditation of Dutch diplomats. The Netherlands has not recognised Palestine as a state.

The protest came despite a ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 1,550 Palestinians have been killed since it took effect. The overall Palestinian death toll since October 2023 has exceeded 74,000, including about 21,000 children. Violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has also intensified. Israel rejects accusations of genocide.

Police described the march as calm but reported four arrests over separate incidents. Dutch public broadcaster NPO has also said the Netherlands will withdraw from Eurovision 2027 over Israel’s participation.