Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema and Palestinian Ambassador to the Netherlands Ammar Hijazi attended the event, which aimed to offer a space for collective mourning and reflection.
Janneke Stegmen, the church’s pastor, spoke about the ongoing crisis, stating, “We have all been witnessing a genocide over the past year. It felt important to provide a place for people to express their grief and emotions together.”
The service featured speakers from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian backgrounds, reflecting the diverse concerns over the conflict. Stegmen emphasized that the violence in Gaza has disturbed people of all faiths, adding, “There’s not enough empathy for the victims in Gaza. It’s heartbreaking to witness this ongoing genocide.”
Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire, Israel continued its offensive on Gaza, which began on October 7. Over 41,800 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, with more than 96,900 others injured, according to local health officials.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
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