Photos from the rally in Amsterdam on July 22nd

July 22nd, 2006 - Thousands marched from the Beursplein to the Museumplein, carrying Lebanese and Palestinian flags and chanting "Stop the War" and "George Bush, Terrorist." Some were carrying flags from Hizbollah. I was amazed at the diversity of the crowd. It seemed like every nationality and age group was represented, even saw two pride flags. I recorded some audio from the rally, including the first speech from a representative of a Jewish organization in Amsterdam (didn't catch the name of the organization or the speaker, maybe someone can help?) His message was simple. Not all Jews support the actions of Israel.

"If you want to live in peace, let peace pour in"

I will try to get this audio posted. Also, I am posting more pictures from the protest at flicker.

Here is a translation of an article about the demonstration printed in de Volkskrant

Demonstration in Amsterdam against policy in Israel and the US

DUTCH PRESS AGENCY
AMSTERDAM - Thousands of people have taken part in a demonstration on Saturday in Amsterdam against the policy of Israel and the United States in the Middle East.
The direct reason was the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Behind a large banner with the text 'Stop the War' they marched to the museum square. A spokesman of the organization estimated the number of participants at five thousand, but observers estimated 2,000-2,500 protesters.
Initially the demonstrators planned to meet on the Beursplein square and not march through the city. The police force however gave authorization at the last moment to the organizers for a march to the Museumplein. The protesters carried slogans such as: Intifada-Lebanon, Free Palestine and George Bush terrorist.
A woman had come all the way from Belgium to the capital of the Netherlands, just to participate in the demonstration.

"This is something that I can do, in Belgium there is no such demonstration planned," she said. A little girl from the African country Eritrea accused Israel of not being prepared to accept peace. She walked along to bring attention to injustices in Palestine and Lebanon.
Also ex-minister Hedy d'Ancona was present. She pleaded for a diplomatic solution.

“Each time that Israel throws a bomb, it makes ten thousand enemies,” said the former PvdA-politician. During the demonstration, money was collected for the purchase of medicine for Palestinians living in the Gaza strip.
On the museum square, members of parliament, Harry van Bommel (SP) and Farah Karimi (Green-left party) and PvdA-European parliamentarian Edith Mastenbroek addressed the protesters. Last Thursday during a pro-Israël-manifestation Mastenbroek was booed, pleading for an armistice and negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah. Now the mob listened to her without shouts of dissent. Van Bommel pleaded for sanctions against Israel and announced that he, as well as Karimi, are in support of a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.
At the end of demonstration, a storm broke out and it started to rain violently. The message from the organizers to go home quietly did not need to be repeated.