A protest against arms supplies to Israel erupted at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.
Hundreds of people came out to demonstrate in solidarity with Palestine. The protest started at the airport on Tuesday, later continuing outside despite unfavourable weather conditions.
Demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags also protested against European Union and US politicians who support Israel. The protest included calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, slogans “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
Max van den Berg, a 31-year-old Dutch protester, called for an end to the Israeli bombing of Gaza. He stated that there would be no peace without justice. Max spoke out against the Dutch government’s support for Tel Aviv:
“End the genocide and occupation.”
Another protester, Philip Block, accused the government of complicity in Israel’s crimes in Gaza. He also asked officials to join calls for a ceasefire, urging Dutch politicians to stop supplying arms to Israel.
Israel has been conducting continuous air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian resistance group Hamas attacked on 7 October. At least 11,320 Palestinians have been killed, including some 7,800 women and children, and more than 29,200 people have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.
Thousands of buildings, including hospital, mosques and churches, have been damaged or destroyed by the Israeli offensive. The Gaza Strip has been under full Israeli siege for a month now. At the same time, the death toll in Israel, according to official figures, stands at 1,200.
In May this year, Israel and the Netherlands signed a five-year arms contract worth $305 million. Elbit Systems, an Israeli company that sells weapons used in attacks against Palestinians to the Israeli military, will supply 20 PULS artillery systems, including ammunition, as well as training and support services.
