An official commemoration in the Netherlands, celebrating 80 years since the liberation from Nazi occupation, faced a brief interruption on Monday due to the actions of pro-Palestinian activists.
Protests during the ceremony
During a speech delivered by Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans in Wageningen, a group of demonstrators shouted “Free Palestine” before being escorted away by law enforcement. This disruption led to the detention of five individuals, while portions of the attending audience responded by booing the protesters.
Despite this unwelcome interruption, Brekelmans continued with his address, supported by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who subsequently emphasized the importance of unity among European nations.
Additional disturbances
In a separate incident, a smoke canister was thrown onto a festival stage during the celebrations, but authorities did not report any arrests related to this action. The ceremony was held at a significant location, near where German forces surrendered in 1945, marking the official end of their occupation.