The Hague: Europe and the Arabs
Dutch police arrested more than 30 people on Saturday during a demonstration in The Hague that escalated into riots. Two police officers and six journalists were injured. Local authorities announced this during a press conference held following the events. Videos circulating on social media showed attacks on police officers, the burning of their vehicles, and the vandalism and destruction of building gates and the storming of buildings by large numbers of demonstrators, who chanted, "Close the borders to refugees, open the Netherlands!" "We want the Netherlands to be returned to us!"
The media in Europe, including neighboring Belgium, covered the events. According to the Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, police reported that most of the arrests were for public violence against them. More arrests are expected. Police stated at the press conference that they had not expected the widespread violence. They added that there were a large number of people in the streets. "But the fact that around 1,200 people are committing this violence against us is something that upsets me," said Karen Kroekert of The Hague police. The Belgian newspaper published a series of photos of protesters carrying Dutch flags, a burning police car, and other images from the European Press Photo Agency (EPA). Protesters attacked police and their vehicles with stones, bottles, and sticks. A police car was set on fire, and the flames were extinguished with a water cannon. Several clashes broke out.
Six journalists were injured by protesters, according to Persvilig, a center that monitors violence and attacks against journalists. According to the center, the injuries included five photographers and one television journalist. None of the journalists required hospitalization. Earlier in the day, the organization reported receiving two reports from journalists. It said they were "attacked from behind by protesters and suffered severe blows. They suffered bruises, but fortunately did not require hospitalization." The platform program for the demonstration, which attracted thousands of people, continued for some time. A reporter for the Dutch National News Agency (ANP) heard expressions of frustration at the situation and the organizers' desire for a peaceful protest. At around 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, the demonstration ended prematurely, and attendees were asked to leave. Shortly thereafter, the Malieveld hall was empty.
However, some protesters advanced slightly toward the D66 office on Lange Hootstraat, where they smashed several windows. At least eight windows were damaged. A dumpster in front of the building was also set on fire. According to a party spokesperson, no one was inside the building. Commenting on the riots, Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague, said, "This is unprecedented and unworthy of the Netherlands." He stated that despite the vandalism, D66 does not plan to provide additional security for political party buildings.
Criticism
Rob Jetten, leader of the D66 party, expressed his dismay at the vandalism. He responded to X, saying: "You scum! Take your hands off the political parties. If you think you can intimidate us, we will never allow extremist hooligans to take over our beautiful country."
Geert Wilders, a politician from the Party for Freedom, also responded angrily. He wrote on X: "Fight this scum with extreme force. Blocking the motorway and using violence against the police is completely unacceptable. You idiots."