Tens of thousands expected at fourth Red Line protest in Amsterdam

Organizers expect tens of thousands of demonstrators in Amsterdam on Sunday for the fourth “Red Line” protest. The march will focus on Dutch economic and military ties with Israel.

The coalition behind the event - including Pax, Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib, and roughly 150 other groups - is calling for a ban on all trade and investment tied to the Israeli occupation. It also wants an end to arms deals and military cooperation. Posters across the country have been put up carrying the slogan "Beyond the Red Line - no money, no genocide.”

The previous Red Line demonstration drew about 250,000 people. Organizers say the Dutch government continues to finance and facilitate violence against Palestinians despite an official ceasefire. They point to ongoing deaths in Gaza and the West Bank, restricted aid, and reports of mistreatment of prisoners.

Left-wing parties in parliament are expected to join the march, according to de Volkskrant. They argue the Netherlands should act independently if European Union measures remain blocked by internal divisions. Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has rejected claims that the government is doing too little. He has pointed to a September ban on imports from Israeli settlements.

Critics, including researchers at the Centre for Research on Multinational Cooperations, say that the ban is limited and hard to enforce. They note the Netherlands is one of Israel’s largest foreign investors and a major destination for Israeli capital, much of it flowing through Dutch entities. Israeli arms makers Elbit and Rafael also use the Netherlands as the base for European operations.