| 2025 red line protests in Europe | |
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| Part ofGaza war protests | |
 Protesters in red clothing forming a "red line" near the Peace Palace, The Netherlands, 18 May 2025 | |
| Date | 18 May – 5 October 2025 |
| Location | Europe (mainly The Netherlands, with solidarity actions in Brussels, London, Geneva) |
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Thered line demonstrations were a series of major demonstrations inEurope, organized by a coalition of human rights groups and pro-Palestinian organizations to opposeIsrael's genocide in Gaza and demand policy changes from governments inBelgium,The Netherlands,Sweden, and other countries.[1][2][3] The protests on 18 May and 15 June 2025 drew over 100,000 and 150,000 participants respectively, marking the largest demonstrations in the Netherlands in two decades.[1][3][4][5] Another protest in The Netherlands on 5 October 2025 drew an estimated 250,000 participants.[6]
The protests emerged in response to Israel’s prolonged military campaign in Gaza (2023–2025), which had resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths by June 2025 according to Gaza health officials.[1][4] Organizers in the Netherlands includingAmnesty International,Oxfam Novib, PAX, andDoctors Without Borders accused the Dutch government of failing to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes and genocide.[7][8] The "red line" symbolism represented the boundary protesters believed the government should enforce against Israeli actions violating international law.[7][8][9]
The first protest on 18 May 2025 attracted approximately 100,000 participants wearing red clothing.[9][5] Marchers formed a 5-kilometer human chain around The Hague's city center, passing thePeace Palace (home to theInternational Court of Justice) where South Africa’s genocide case against Israel was being heard.[9][5] Speakers condemned Dutch political and military support for Israel, with Amnesty International's Marjon Rozema stating: "We demand an end to support as long as Israel blocks aid and commits war crimes".[9]
Another follow-up protest in the Hague on 15 June 2025 saw organizers estimate 150,000 attendees, while police reported "tens of thousands".[3][4][10] Protesters repeated the red-clad march route and added a solidarity action on Terschelling island, where 2,000 Oerol festival participants formed a red line on the beach.[3][4] The demonstration coincided with the ongoing hearings of the International Court of Justice and increasing EU scrutiny of Israel’s actions.[1][4]
In Sweden, 15,000-20,000 protesters gathered in a red line demonstration in Stockholm. Participants held signs with messages such as "Stop the genocide" and "Jews for justice & peace". The march was organized by, among other groups, Oxfam Sweden, Swedish Peace, Amnesty Sweden, Doctors Without Borders, andKvinna till Kvinna.[11]
The largest red line demonstration occurred on 5 October 2025 drew an estimated 250,000 participants meeting at the Museumplein in Amsterdam and marching through the city center.[6]
Protesters called for:
Dutch Prime MinisterDick Schoof acknowledged protesters' "concerns and frustration" but emphasized backchannel diplomacy.[3][4] Foreign MinisterCaspar Veldkamp advocated for EU trade agreement review, while far-right leaderGeert Wilders condemned protests as "Hamas support".[9][5] On 14 June, Schoof announced potential support for EU sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers.[3]
EU foreign policy chiefKaja Kallas announced formal review of EU-Israel relations on 12 June.[3]
