‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’, what does that slogan actually mean?

The slogan could be heard at numerous demonstrations in Europe and the United States and seen on banners: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Even in an Amsterdam one Albert Heijn the words surfaced in a pamphlet from employees who also wrote on Sunday that they would have preferred to demonstrate rather than work.

Is that “a Palestinian cry for freedom” or an anti-Semitic statement? Various stakeholders and parties give opposite explanations. What there seems to be no difference of opinion about is that ‘theriver‘the Jordan River is meant and ‘the sea‘ Mediterranean Sea.

It is also certain that the slogan is or was part of the principles of political Palestinian organizations, from the PLO to Hamas. But the PLO abandoned the goal of one Palestine in the 1990s when it struck a deal with Israel. Hamas is still pursuing this.

‘Democratic and secular state’

According to supporters and opponents, the slogan often expresses the pursuit of one state in the area between the river and the sea. According to historian Maha Nassar (University of Arizona), the slogan expresses the Palestinians’ aspiration for freedom and equality in a democratic and secular state, throughout the region.

Critics think this is too rosy a picture of things. National Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism Eddo Verdoner wrote in June 2021 that the slogan implies that “Israel must disappear.” In the Amsterdam city council called mayor Femke Halsema the text last week was “unacceptable, because it misunderstands the existence of Israel.” In various European countries, the authorities also think this way and it is seen as an expression of anti-Semitism. A demonstration was banned in Vienna last week because of the use of this slogan, “a clear call to violence,” said the Viennese police.

Bern, October 14. Photo MARCEL BIERI / AFP Bern, Switzerland. Photo Marcel Bieri/AFP

Johannesburg, October 15 Photo LUCA SOLA / AFP Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo Luca Sola/AFP

Istanbul, October 14 Photo EPA/ERDEM SAHIN Istanbul. Photo Erdem Sahin/EPA

Durban, October 13 Photo RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP Durban, South Africa. Photo Rajesh Jantilal/AFP

The Dutch judicial system does not appear to be planning to take action against the slogan. After a complaint about these words during a speech on Dam Square in May 2021, the Public Prosecution Service and ultimately this summer the Amsterdam Court of Appeal ruled that there was no incitement, threat or punishable incitement to hatred in that case.

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‘Legitimate protest’

The Rights Forum, an organization that stands up for the rights of Palestinians, was very pleased with this decision. “Not only is the slogan recognized as a legitimate form of protest, but it also limits the intimidating practices used by pro-Israel activists to try to banish the slogan from the public domain.”

But despite the ruling, the last word has not been said. After the recent demonstrations in the Netherlands the SGP this week asked the Minister of Justice to take action against the use of this slogan.