Flags of Palestine in Netherlands — Europe’s people against Europe’s double standards — IPO takes to streets for Palestinians

By Zulqernain

   The Intercultural Progressive Organization (IPO) Netherlands organized a demonstration at Central Station, The Hague, in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

    Led by IPO chairman Khawaja Mohammad Saeed, the demonstration drew participants from various communities with a significant number of Dutch citizens joining it this week.

    Saeed, who is also the President of the Palestine Solidarity Committee Netherlands,

has organized a number of demonstrations in The Hague, the Peace Palace (International Court of Justice), the International Criminal Court, and the Dutch Parliament, drawing thousands in attendance.

     The Netherlands has become one of the focal points in Europe where ordinary citizens, activists, and students have taken to the streets to denounce the atrocities unfolding in Gaza.

     The relentless Israeli bombardment, which has left thousands of Palestinians dead and displaced, has stirred a profound sense of moral outrage among the Dutch public, igniting demonstrations across the country

   From Amsterdam’s Dam Square to the streets of Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, protestors have carried Palestinian flags, chanted slogans for justice, and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

    “These rallies have not been small or symbolic —  they have drawn thousands, cutting across communities and age groups, uniting under a single cause — to end the suffering in Gaza,” Mr Saeed who hails from Lahore, Pakistan said.

     Anne VerzijI, who is often called the Edhi of Holland, a Dutch political activist, was also on the forefront to his voice against injustice.

     Verziljl, who is also secretary general of IPO,  has consistently stood against war, supported political prisoners, promoted socialism, and extended support to refugees.

    A recurring theme in the demonstration is the deep frustration with the Dutch and wider European governments.

    Protesters argue that while European leaders publicly speak of human rights, their political and economic ties with Israel make them complicit in the destruction of Gaza.

    In the Netherlands, calls have grown louder for the government to halt arms trade with Israel and to support international accountability mechanisms for alleged war crimes.

   Universities, too, have become centres of resistance. Student-led protests and encampments have urged academic institutions to sever partnerships with Israeli universities and corporations seen as complicit in the occupation. These actions echo a wider global movement, particularly among the youth, who see solidarity with Palestine not only as a political issue but as a moral responsibility.

   The protest in the Netherlands also highlights a broader European reckoning. While governments often remain cautious in their stance, public opinion has shifted dramatically. More and more people across Europe — especially in the Netherlands, known for its tradition of activism — are unwilling to remain silent.

     For them, the atrocities in Gaza are not distant tragedies but urgent crimes demanding accountability.

      Ultimately, the Dutch protests represent a powerful reminder that even when official policies fall short, civil society continues to stand up for justice. In the voices echoing through the Hague s streets, one message is clear —  silence is not an option when Gaza burns.

     Mr Saeed said his organization will continue raising a voice for the people of Palestine.

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