Red line demonstration
| 2025 Red Line protests in the Netherlands | |
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| Part of Gaza war protests | |
 Protesters in red clothing forming a "red line" near the Peace Palace, 18 May 2025 | |
| Date | 18 May - 15 June 2025 |
| Location | The Hague, Netherlands (with solidarity actions in Brussels, London, Geneva, and Terschelling) |
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The Red Line demonstrations were a series of major demonstrations in The Hague, Netherlands, organized by a coalition of human rights groups and pro-Palestinian organizations to oppose Israel’s military actions in Gaza and demand policy changes from the Dutch government. The protests on 18 May and 15 June 2025 drew over 100,000 and 150,000 participants respectively, marking the largest demonstrations in the Netherlands in two decades.[1][2][3][4]
Background
The protests emerged in response to Israel’s prolonged military campaign in Gaza (2023–2025), which had resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths by June 2025 according to Gaza health officials.[1][3] Organizers including Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib, PAX, and Doctors Without Borders accused the Dutch government of failing to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes and genocide.[5][6] The "red line" symbolism represented the boundary protesters believed the government should enforce against Israeli actions violating international law.[5][6][7]
Events
18 May 2025 demonstration
The first protest on 18 May 2025 attracted approximately 100,000 participants wearing red clothing.[7][4] Marchers formed a 5-kilometer human chain around The Hague’s city center, passing the Peace Palace (home to the International Court of Justice) where South Africa’s genocide case against Israel was being heard.[7][4] Speakers condemned Dutch political and military support for Israel, with Amnesty International’s Marjon Rozema stating: “We demand an end to support as long as Israel blocks aid and commits war crimes”.[7]
15 June 2025 demonstration
The larger follow-up protest on 15 June 2025 saw organizers estimate 150,000 attendees, while police reported “tens of thousands”.[2][3][8] Protesters repeated the red-clad march route and added a solidarity action on Terschelling island, where 2,000 Oerol festival participants formed a red line on the beach.[2][3] The demonstration coincided with the ongoing hearings of the International Court of Justice and increasing EU scrutiny of Israel’s actions.[1][3]
Demands
Protesters called for:
- Immediate Dutch sanctions against Israeli officials
- Suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement
- Full arms embargo on Israel
- Humanitarian aid access to Gaza
- Dutch recognition of Palestinian statehood
Impact
Prime Minister Dick Schoof acknowledged protesters’ “concerns and frustration” but emphasized backchannel diplomacy.[2][3] Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp advocated for EU trade agreement review, while far-right leader Geert Wilders condemned protests as “Hamas support”.[7][4] On 14 June, Schoof announced potential support for EU sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers.[2]
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced formal review of EU-Israel relations on 12 June.[2]
See also
- Gaza war protests
- 2025 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the Netherlands
- South Africa v. Israel (Genocide Convention)
References
- ^ a b c "Tens of thousands protest in Netherlands over Israel's actions in Gaza". Reuters. 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Second Gaza protest in The Hague attracts an even larger crowd". Dutch News. 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Thousands attend 'red line' protest in The Hague against Israel's Gaza war". Al Jazeera. 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Huge turnout at second Dutch protest seeking government action against Israel". Washington Post. 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Another "red line" for Palestine protest to take place in The Hague". DutchReview. 5 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Gaza Rode Lijn demonstratie". Amnesty International Netherlands. 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Tens of thousands protest in The Hague to demand Dutch government action on Gaza war". Euronews. 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Mass protest in The Hague demands action against Israel". Xinhua. 16 June 2025.