Dutch PM Speaks at Kristallnacht Event as 200,000 Protest Israel Policy

More than 200,000 people marched in Amsterdam on Sunday, November 8, 2026, demanding that the Dutch government take tougher action against Israel over the war in Gaza. The protest, called Red Line Passed, was organized by Amnesty International, Oxfam Novib, Save the Children, and nearly 200 other groups and companies. Participants wore red and gathered at Museumplein before walking through streets near Vondelpark.

The organizations called for a suspension of direct and indirect arms trade with Israel, expanded trade restrictions, and sanctions against the Israeli government. They also demanded that the Netherlands officially recognize Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, a claim Israel rejects. One demonstrator, Mike van Dongen, told the Associated Press that in his opinion the government was doing nothing.

The demonstration marked the fourth Red Line movement protest. The previous march, held in October 2025, drew about 250,000 people according to organizers. The protest followed Dutch government restrictions adopted on September 22, 2026, banning the import, purchase, and sale of products from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.

The same day, Amsterdam commemorated Kristallnacht, 88 years after the pogroms. Chanan Hertzberger, chairman of the Central Jewish Consultation, delivered a political speech linking the commemoration to the previous day's demonstration. He thanked Prime Minister Rob Jetten for not giving in to the demands of the anti-Israel demonstration organizers.

Hertzberger said the demanded measures would effectively wipe Israel off the map, directly or indirectly. He warned that political extremes were embracing what he called the genocide lie regarding Gaza, and said Jews were being collectively held responsible. He asked who was being addressed in Arnhem, Groningen, and Amsterdam over the alleged genocide, answering that it was Jews in their own cities, streets, and children's classrooms.

Prime Minister Jetten also spoke at the Kristallnacht commemoration, the first Dutch prime minister to do so in ten years. He referred to anti-Jewish sentiments in the Netherlands and said pogroms have existed throughout history. He stated that the lesson of history is what has actually been done to combat antisemitism, not how often it has been condemned.