Protesters hold sit-ins across Netherlands in solidarity with Palestine

By Selman Aksunger

AMSTERDAM (AA) - Protesters staged sit-ins at train stations across the Netherlands on Thursday to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Gathering at the central train station in the capital Amsterdam, a crowd chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, including "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

They carried Palestinian flags and called for a cease-fire and denounced the Dutch government over its support for Israel.

They later observed a minute of silence and then recited Surah Al-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Muslim holy book, the Quran.

Speaking to Anadolu, Roos Ykema said she attended the sit-in to show her solidarity with Palestinians.

"We want the Dutch government to stop supplying arms to Israel and call for a cease-fire," she said.

Emil Zeno said he was protesting against the government over its support for those who practice "apartheid and oppression.”

Protesters also held sit-ins in Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Nijmegen and The Hague.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 11,500 Palestinians have since been killed, including more than 7,800 women and children, and more than 29,200 injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.