AMSTERDAM, (PIC)
The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, hosted an event on Sunday to commemorate the Palestinian children and journalists who were killed in the attacks on Gaza, and to denounce the genocide committed by Israel.
The “Plant an Olive Tree” foundation organized the event in the famous Dam Square in central Amsterdam, to commemorate the Palestinian children and journalists whom Israel killed in Gaza.
The event witnessed a display of photos and names of the journalists who were martyred in the Israeli attacks, with the aim of shedding light on the crimes they were subjected to, while thousands of children’s shoes were placed in the location.
During the event, Dutch artists, actors, and producers read the names of the children who were martyred in Gaza and their ages one by one.
Volunteers also distributed leaflets to passersby to explain what is happening in Gaza and provide awareness information.
The director of the “Plant an Olive Tree” foundation, Esther van der Most, said the event is being held for the sixteenth time for the Palestinian children, and for the fourth time for the journalists.
Van der Most explained, in a conversation with Anadolu news agency, that the January 2024 event in Amsterdam witnessed the display of 10,000 shoes, while the number of children who were killed until today has risen to 20,000.
She pointed out that this number does not reflect the reality entirely, noting the presence of children who “disappeared in Israeli prisons or remained under the rubble.”
Van der Most pointed to the participation of a large number of well-known figures in the event, explaining that writers, journalists, and actors read the names of all the children who were killed and their ages during the speeches they delivered.
She stressed that the attendees were deeply moved and cried during the event, adding, “313 journalists were killed during the past two and a half years, and this is another example of unprecedented injustice.”
Van der Most expressed her hope that this situation would have an impact on politicians and that sanctions would be imposed on Israel.
She considered that “what the Dutch government is doing towards a regime that practices genocide is very weak, and these violations must stop.”
For her part, the Dutch actress, singer, and presenter Georgina Verbaan said she participated in the event to draw attention to the suffering of the Palestinians, especially children.
She added, “I am here to spread this voice, and perhaps this will push people who have the power to change to take action.”
Despite a ceasefire agreement being in effect in Gaza since October 10 last year, Israel did not commit to the protocol related to the humanitarian aspect, and only allowed the entry of very meager quantities of food, humanitarian and medical aid, and the fuel and oils necessary to operate generators.
The agreement was reached after two years of a war of genocide that Israel began in Gaza on October 7, 2023, with American support, and continued in various forms after that, and left more than 72,000 dead and more than 172,000 wounded Palestinians, and wide destruction that affected 90 percent of the civilian infrastructure.
