Dutch riot police clashed with about 500 right-wing protesters in downtown The Hague on Saturday. The protesters were chanting anti-Semitic slogans during the demonstration and escalated tensions by throwing fireworks and other objects at the police.
Violent Outcome of the Protest
According to reports, police used batons and special dogs to disperse the crowd. This protest, held under the banner "We Are the People," was aimed at criticizing government policies, particularly regarding immigration. The protesters intended to march through the city streets, but local authorities banned the march due to the violence occurring in the park where the protesters had gathered and ordered the dispersal of the demonstration.
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Arrests and Consequences
The police announced that they had arrested 24 people and used water cannons to disperse the rioters. Further investigations are underway. In this context, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated on social media platform X that the protesters were deliberately seeking confrontation with the police and were chanting "hateful" right-wing and anti-Semitic slogans.
Justice Minister David van Wil also called for a "very strong" response to these "hateful scenes." He stated that the protesters performed Nazi gestures, attacked police, and threw fireworks at officers. This unrest occurs one year after riots at a right-wing protest.
In that previous protest, black-clad demonstrators clashed with police, and a police car was set on fire. Additionally, the office of the centrist D66 party, whose leader Rob Jetten is now Prime Minister, was attacked.
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