Over 300 Anti-Israel Protesters Arrested After Blocking Rotterdam Port Railways

More than 300 anti-Israel activists were arrested on Saturday after blocking railway tracks at the Port of Rotterdam during a protest against trade and arms deals with Israel.

According to Dutch police, the demonstrators disrupted port operations by occupying train lines and clashing with officers who attempted to clear the area. Four people were detained for assaulting police—two allegedly punched officers, while one reportedly bit another. Three others were arrested for vandalism and public insults.

Police said the protest created “life-threatening situations” as trains carrying hazardous materials were operating in the port at the time. Authorities warned that blocking the tracks posed serious safety risks to both protesters and port workers.

Videos shared online by the activist group Geef Tegen Gas showed officers using batons to disperse protesters, some of whom had chained themselves to the rail lines. The group claimed to have mobilized around 800 participants, describing the action as a stand against “the arms trade, genocide, and colonial oppression.”

Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten had authorized police supervision of the demonstrations but prohibited gatherings on railway tracks for safety reasons.

Saturday’s protest followed a similar demonstration on Friday, with activists demanding that the Dutch government impose a full trade and weapons embargo on Israel and ban all goods linked to alleged human rights violations.

Organizers said the Rotterdam blockade was part of a broader campaign to disrupt shipping operations across Europe in protest of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.