Berendsen says he understands ‘powerlessness’ of Gaza protesters

Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen says he understands the “concerns and sense of powerlessness” felt by demonstrators who joined Sunday’s Rode Lijn protest in Amsterdam, where organisers said 200,000 people took part against the war in Gaza.

Berendsen, a Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) minister, said on X that the Dutch government would continue working for stability in the Middle East, an improvement in Gaza’s humanitarian situation and “a viable, democratic and independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel”.

The protest was directed against the government’s Israel policy. Demonstrators called for tougher measures, including an end to all military cooperation with Israel. Several speakers urged Prime Minister Rob Jetten to do more; he did not respond to the protest on Sunday.

Jetten attended a Rode Lijn demonstration last year, when he was in opposition. He has since said attending this protest as prime minister would not be appropriate, as it was directed against his government’s policies.