The genocide against Palestinians rages on; Israel continues to attack, occupy, and kill. In Gaza and on the West Bank. And the Netherlands? The Netherlands continues to fund and facilitate these actions. Because our government still buys large quantities of Israeli weapons, and Dutch companies continue to invest in the illegal occupation. The Netherlands is even one of the largest European investors in Israel. In short: our country is small, but influential.
Meanwhile, news about Palestine is fading into the background. It’s getting quieter and quieter, even as Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine is becoming more violent and continues to escalate. The same goes for the oppression and dehumanization of Palestinians. And our government is still doing far too little.
The Dutch government has already wasted far too much time and had plenty of opportunities to draw a line in the sand against Israel’s war crimes and illegal occupation. That time is now over; it is time for more action—not in words, but in deeds. The flow of funds for the genocide and the illegal occupation of Palestine must be stopped.
As long as Israel continues its genocide, occupation, and ethnic cleansing in Palestine and maintains its humanitarian blockade of Gaza, we demand that the Dutch government:
- Economic: Expand the national trade ban on illegal Israeli settlements to include a ban on all trade and investments that contribute to the Israeli occupation, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, and divest from companies that contribute to these actions. In addition, the Dutch government publicly and explicitly advocates for the complete suspension of the EU Association Agreement.
- Military: Stop all direct and indirect arms trade, including imports, and military cooperation with Israel.
- International law: The Netherlands must exert maximum political, economic, and diplomatic pressure to bring the illegal occupation of Palestine to a definitive end, in accordance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice. The Netherlands must fully implement the rulings of the International Court of Justice and must do everything in its power to ensure accountability and punishment for crimes committed under international law, including support for and protection of international courts in The Hague.
That is why, on Sunday, November 8, we will take to the streets en masse in the colors of resistance and solidarity. Together, we will show that the Netherlands says no to genocide and Israel’s illegal occupation. Again, and for as long as necessary. Louder, bigger, and even redder.
Together, we will continue to ramp up the pressure until the Netherlands takes strong measures against Israel. We demand no support, no tolerance, and no funding for genocide. We demand justice.