On Sunday, hundreds gathered in a park near the venue of an upcoming NATO summit to protest against the alliance, its push for increased military spending, and fears of escalating tensions with Iran.
The demonstration, held two days before the 32-nation alliance convenes in The Hague, saw a mix of activists calling for peace and sustainability.
Banners reading “No Iran War” were prominent, reflecting concerns following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The rally, initially focused on opposing NATO and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, drew a broad coalition, including Iranian expatriates.
Belgian politician Jos d’Haese addressed the crowd, urging governments to prioritize “peace and sustainable energy” over defense budgets.
The sentiment was echoed by attendees like 74-year-old Hossein Hamadani, an Iranian living in the Netherlands, who questioned the focus on military expenditure amid environmental challenges.
The protest underscored a public desire for redirecting funds away from war.
The Netherlands is preparing to host NATO leaders starting Tuesday, with discussions centered on a U.S.-driven proposal to raise defense spending.
Despite progress, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently cautioned that a proposed 5% GDP defense commitment would be “unreasonable” and “counterproductive.”
Many NATO allies, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over three years ago, have increased military budgets, yet nearly a third still fall short of the current 2% GDP target.
The summit, secured by an unprecedented Dutch operation dubbed “Orange Shield,” is set to navigate these tensions.