Man Arrested in The Hague after Trying to Torch Israeli Embassy in Protest at Gaza War
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A man was arrested in The Hague after attempting to set fire to the Israeli embassy, an act seen as part of the mounting wave of protests against Israel’s bloody assault on Gaza that has fueled worldwide outrage and condemnation of Tel Aviv’s ongoing massacre of Palestinians.
Dutch authorities said the incident occurred around 7 p.m. Friday when the suspect tried to break into the embassy compound and ignite a fire.
No embassy staff were harmed, local police confirmed.
The Israeli foreign ministry described the event as another attack targeting its missions abroad since the war on Gaza escalated.
The Israeli ambassador to the Netherlands, Zvi Vapni, complained: “Another attempt was made tonight to break into our embassy’s building. This is another vile act, but we are not intimidated...”
Friday’s incident follows a series of protests and symbolic actions against Israeli facilities in the Netherlands.
Three people were arrested in August after smashing the embassy’s front door and splashing the building with red paint.
In March last year, another suspect was detained for throwing a burning object at the site.
Other confrontations have targeted Israeli visitors, including an attack on an Israeli family at a holiday park in August and clashes involving Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam in November.
These actions come as hatred toward Israel’s brutal campaign in Gaza continues to surge across the world, with more governments and organizations openly condemning the bloodshed and recognizing the suffering of Palestinians.
According to the Palestinian Civil Defense, nearly half of Gaza City’s population—around 450,000 people—have fled since Israel’s military operations intensified in August.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that Gaza is witnessing the “worst level of death and destruction” in his lifetime, urging the international community not to be silenced by Israeli intimidation.
Israel’s onslaught has so far killed at least 65,141 people and wounded 165,925 since October 2023, with thousands more believed trapped beneath rubble.
The rising death toll and devastation have amplified calls worldwide to hold Israel accountable for war crimes and to end what many governments, activists, and communities now openly describe as genocide in Gaza.
