Utrecht Pro-Palestine Silent Protest Marks 111 Weeks of Demonstrations

Utrecht, MINA – Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered at Neude Square in Utrecht on Wednesday, continuing a silent protest that has taken place every weekday morning for 111 weeks to oppose Israeli attacks in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Holding Palestinian flags and banners, the demonstrators stood in the square from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., calling for an end to Palestinian suffering and urging the Dutch government to take stronger action.

The protest began more than two years ago with a woman silently holding a small sign. It has since developed into a solidarity group of around 150 people, with between 10 and 30 participants, including workers, students and retirees, taking turns at the daily gatherings.

Ragna Schapendonk, one of the demonstrators, said the group had maintained its presence despite challenging weather conditions, including rain, snow and extreme heat.

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She also said public responses to the demonstration had become more encouraging, with passersby offering words of support and making victory signs.

Schapendonk called on the Dutch government to stop purchasing weapons and providing financial support to Israel, arguing that stronger measures were needed to end the violence against Palestinians.

The Utrecht gathering reflects continuing pro-Palestinian activism in Europe, where demonstrations and solidarity campaigns have taken place since the escalation of violence in Gaza in October 2023.

In the Netherlands, civil society organizations and some lawmakers have called for stronger government action over Israel’s policies toward Palestinians. Debate has included demands for an arms embargo and additional measures against Israel, while critics have questioned whether existing steps are sufficient.

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The protesters in Utrecht have continued their weekday gatherings for more than two years, using a silent public presence to draw attention to the situation facing Palestinians and press the Dutch government to change its policies.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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