Protesters in Netherlands stage sit-in in solidarity with Palestinians

By Abdullah Asiran

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AA) - Protesters staged a sit-in on Tuesday in the Dutch city of The Hague to call for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

They gathered at a train station, vowing to keep holding protests until a cease-fire is reached.

Accusing the Dutch government of being complicit in crimes committed by Israel, the crowd chanted pro-Palestinian slogans including "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

Speaking to Anadolu, protester Dagmar Bosma said they were holding the demonstration to raise their voice, especially ahead of the country’s election.

"We will continue (protesting) until a cease-fire is reached, the (Israeli) occupation of Gaza ends, Palestine is liberated and Palestinians have equal rights," she said.

Another protester, Ellen van de Bovenkamp, said she is "ashamed" to be Dutch.

Saying the government actively supports Israel through military aid, she stressed the need for an immediate cease-fire.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas early last month.

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has soared to 14,128, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Tuesday.

“The victims include over 5,840 children and 3,920 women,” the ministry added in a statement.

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

The Netherlands will hold a general election on Wednesday.