Thousands rally in Amsterdam for Rode Lijn protest demanding Dutch measures against Israel

A crowd fills the Museumplein

The fourth Rode Lijn demonstration began around 13:00 on Sunday, 8 November, on Amsterdam's Museumplein, where Telegraaf reporters estimated thousands of people had gathered around midday. Participants wore red clothing or accessories, and many waved Palestinian flags. Banners read 'Zionisme is racisme', 'Geen Nederlandse steun aan apartheid' and 'Palestina Vrij', while chants included 'Free free Palestine' and a slogan saying the Netherlands funds while Israel bombs. Thirteen organisations take part, among them Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib, Save the Children, PAX, Rotterdam Palestina Coalitie and the Palestijnse Gemeenschap Nederland. The organisers want the cabinet to take measures against Israel over the violence against Palestinians.

Demands and speakers

The organisers call on the cabinet of Prime Minister Rob Jetten to apply maximum political, economic and diplomatic pressure to end what they describe as the illegal occupation of Palestine. Host Hasna el Maroudi of Omroep Zwart opened the event. Palestinian journalist Amal Helles, who fled Gaza for the Netherlands, addressed the crowd in English and told it that nobody is free until Palestine is free. Former minister Lilianne Ploumen, described by Telegraaf as a former PvdA minister, and Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement BDS, were also named as speakers. Medhat Alamawi of the Palestijnse Gemeenschap Nederland was listed as well. Former politicians Job Cohen and Jozias van Aartsen joined the march, a fact that became known on 7 November.

Jetten stays away

Rob Jetten attended the May 2025 edition as D66 leader, but he is skipping this one now that he is prime minister. He says he now holds 'a different role'. As D66 leader in 2025 he spoke of genocide in Gaza, but as premier he no longer uses that term. Asked why, he said the cabinet has a duty to do everything to prevent further escalation. The previous edition, in October 2025, drew an estimated 250,000 people according to NOS, a figure that sets the benchmark against which this turnout will be measured.

Route and timing

The march is due to set off around 13:45 from the Museumplein. It runs along Stadhouderskade, Overtoom, Amstelveenseweg, Cornelis Krusemanstraat and De Lairesestraat before returning to the square. NOS reports that the route also loops around the Vondelpark. The sequence of the day's main milestones is shown below.