Protesters rally in Belgium and the Netherlands for Gaza

Thousands of protesters rallied in the Hague in Netherlands and in Brussels in Belgium on June 15th to call for more action against the violence in Gaza, Al-Monitor reported.

The protesters called for more involvement from their governments to address the conflict. Dressed in red attire, about 150,000 people gathered at the Hague rally, organisers stated. In Brussels, organisers claimed 110,000 joined the demonstration, while the police counted 75,000 attendees.

In Brussels, many families joined, while the crowd shouted “Free free Palestine!” and directed insults at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A large sign declared that Netanyahu was “Wanted for Crimes Against Humanity” citing an International Criminal Court (ICJ) warrant against him.

Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Oxfam planned the demonstrations. Many participants held Palestinian banners and chanted “Stop the Genocide” in the Hague.

Michiel Servaes, director of the Dutch international aid group Oxfam Novib, stated “We demand action now from our government.”

Al Jazeera’s own Step Vaessen, reported from the Hague that the large crowd showed more Dutch people are opposing their government’s Israeli allegiance, according to Al Jazeera on June 15th.

Vaessen stated: “While there is much frustration about the lack of action, protesters here say the focus should remain on the continuing genocide in Gaza despite Israel’s efforts to distract attention.” According to Al Jazeera, she added that demonstrators also called for Israel to end its attacks on Iran.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said thousands in the Hague voiced “concerns, anger and frustration,” and called the crowd “unprecedented.”

Schoof stated on X: “The Netherlands remains committed to stopping the violence and ending the humanitarian blockade. We are constantly looking at how we can be most effective with our efforts, both in front of and behind the scenes, to improve the situation on the ground.”

Officials like Schoof continue to emphasize diplomatic efforts, while public protests are gaining momentum in other countries as well.

On April 13th, thousands of Moroccans rallied in Rabat against Israel’s Gaza conflict. They formed one of the most powerful coalitions of rights organizations in years. The New Arab reported that protesters took over the Capital’s historic Bab El-had square. Organisers called it “a cry from the nation against the extermination of Palestinians.”

On June 7th, tens of thousands protested in Rome’s streets against Israel’s Gaza military operation. Italy’s opposition parties led the demonstration, Maghrebi reported. According to the Middle East Eye, organizers reported that about 300,000 people joined the demonstration.

Much like the Dutch protesters, advocates condemned the Gaza assaults and criticised the Italian government’s inaction during the march.

Al-Monitor, Al Jazeera, Maghrebi.org, The New Arab, Middle East Eye