An estimated 250,000 people took part in a massive protest in Amsterdam on Sunday, calling on the Dutch government to take a firmer stance against Israel and to help end the genocidal violence in Gaza.

Demonstrators, many wearing something red to illustrate the “red line” they say the Dutch government has crossed by its lack of action, packed into the Museumplein and its surrounding streets.

More than an two hours after the march began, demonstrators, many carrying Palestinian flags and placards, were waiting to leave the Museumplein and move off along the roads on the edge of the Vondelpark.

“I’m not naïve enough to think that I as an individual can make a difference,” demonstrator Deborah told Dutch News. “But when everyone gets together in such a huge group it shows the world that there are enough people who really care.”

Families with small children carrying mini flags walked alongside elderly couples with red scarves and raincoats. Groups of youngsters waved home-made placards. “No peace without justice,” read one.

Everywhere, chants of “Free Palestine” echoed between the buildings, especially in the PC Hooftstraat, the trendy shopping street where shop assistants watched the crowds through the windows in silence.

One young man wore a T-shirt reading “16,382 students have been killed”. A girl held a black placard which said “Your silence is violence, educate yourself”.

“The Netherlands is a major investor in Israel — we can send a message that really matters. The government must act,” another demonstrator said.

According to broadcaster NOS, several Jewish groups also joined the protest, emphasising that Israel’s policies do not represent the views of the entire Jewish community.

Dutch rail operator NS said it had added extra and longer trains to manage the crowds travelling to Amsterdam, describing the situation as “busy but manageable.” Amsterdam’s metro services were also running more frequently but tram services were widely disrupted.

The protest was organised by more than 130 campaign groups, including Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib, Pax and The Rights Forum.

Third protest

The demonstration is the third “red line” protest to be organised this year. The first two took place in The Hague and drew 100,000 and 150,000 people respectively, according to the organisers.

The police have not yet given an official view on the size of the crowd but said the organisers’ estimate of 250,000 “is not crazy”.

Government shift

Since the earlier demonstrations the Dutch government has slowly changed its position on Israel and has imposed travel bans on two far right Israeli ministers.  Last month, the government said it planned to ban imports of goods produced in Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories.

Foreign minister David van Weel has also been told by the Supreme Court that he must decide whether to resume the export of fighter jet parts to Israel within six weeks.

In making that reassessment, the minister must “apply the criterion of whether granting the licence poses a clear risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law”, the court said.