For many it is the first time they demonstrate-the Gaza demonstration in The Hague was massive

The red -dressed crowd of crowds started fifteen minutes ago: the Malieveld in The Hague is slowly flowing in the direction of the Peace Palace. In the meantime, new demonstrators, dressed in red, continue to arrive from The Hague Central. Many are too late because they could not participate in the crowded trains to the Hofstad. But the procession is long enough: they can still easily connect.

According to the organization, more than 100,000 people walked on Sunday in the ‘Red Line’ demonstration against the war violence in Gaza and the Israel policy of the Cabinet-Schoof, organized by Oxfam Novib, Amnesty International and more than eighty other organizations. That would be the largest demonstration since 2004, when between 200,000 and 300,000 people protested against cutbacks of the Balkenende II cabinet.

In the long procession this Sunday afternoon young people, in their forties and fifties, elderly people with walking stick, mothers with pram, fathers with the baby in a baby carrier. They have attracted many different shades of red, including dark pink, purple and orange. Many people say this is their first demonstration.

‘Stotter van Schoof’

Christine Tromp (39) from The Hague, for example, who walks with her husband and her children aged 10, 8 and 5 years. She is ashamed when she hears « those weak words from the cabinet. » « That Stotter van Schoof. » What should the cabinet do? « My children asked, » she says. « Well, in any case clearer condemning what happens there. »

The 83-year-old Tamme van der Zee from Bennekom, who is wearing a red polo, stayed to be able to walk today with his daughter, who lives closer. « I am about nothing happening, even though we say ‘never again’. »

Even though they are in the minority, most of the sound comes from groups of experienced protesters, often with black and white checkered Keffiyehs (Arafatsjaals) and Palestinian flag in hand. Through a megaphone they chant slogans as “Free, Free PalestineAnd «  »From the river to the sea, Palestine Will Be Free« .

For the Peace Palace, where the International Court of Appeal is located, a choir sings the procession. « Stop the field of nations in Palestine, stop the genecreed in Gaza now, » they sing. « Our government is leaving Palestine, our government is abandoning Gaza. » These ‘climate choirs Netherlands’ normally sing climate protesters, says a choir member, but for this occasion they have made four new songs.

I’m ashamed when I hear those weak words from the cabinet

Cardboard plates

Many people keep cardboard plates in the air. « My mother’s heart breaks, » « Give a shit‘And’ Tering-Government ‘, with the heads of Prime Minister Dick Schoof, asylum Minister Marjolein Faber (PVV) and residential minister Mona Keijzer (BBB), among others.

Several Christian slogans are also striking. A sign with ‘What would Jesus do? ‘ And a banner with: « These ChristenUnie members do draw a red line. » Bob Lapajan (40), who holds the canvas, says that his party « in tone » has become more critical towards Israel, « but in the Lower House there is still voting against motions to take action. »

Before the demonstration, the Malieveld is also a short Christian meeting. A woman in a white preaching rade with red stola greets the approximately one hundred and fifty people in the circle around her. « Welcome if you no longer endure it in the deafening silence in our churches, » she says through her megaphone, with a sticker of a Palestinian flag. « Welcome if you would like to scream: my God, my God, where are you? » Then a man « prays for our government, for the courage to speak out. »

After the Peace Palace, the long procession walks back to the Malieveld via the Hofvijver. A girl of about twelve raises her middle finger to the tower. « So, » she says. « Now I feel better. » « This time it is allowed, » says her mother.

According to the police, the demonstration went smoothly. Back at the Malieveld, the demonstrators walk towards a large banner with the text: « We pulled the red line. Now the cabinet is still. »

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