The action group demanded sanctions against Israel from the outgoing cabinet by 3 p.m. otherwise the railway would be shut down ‘at a crucial station’ in the Netherlands. A press release from XR states that the group is demanding “a full economic embargo” against Israel.
Earlier in the day, dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators demonstrated on Dam Square. Around 7:30 p.m., seventeen activists took to the tracks on the west side of the station. They were followed and surrounded by members of the riot police. About fifteen minutes after the start of the action, all demonstrators had been removed from the track.
The demonstrators who have been arrested are suspected of insulting, wearing face-covering clothing and violating the railway law. “In the coming hours we will examine what will happen to them, for example whether they will remain in custody for one or more nights,” a police spokesperson said.
Because train traffic to and from Central Station has been halted for a while, passengers should take delays into account, according to the NS.
State Secretary: “life-threatening”
Outgoing State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Public Transport) was not pleased in advance with the announced rail blockade and called it ‘life-threatening’, NOS reports. According to Aartsen, the action ‘really crosses a line’.
Last week, pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the railway at The Hague Central Station. This caused train traffic to be disrupted for hours. Activists sat and walked on the track, just like tonight.