A dramatic scene unfolded in the Dutch House of Representatives when MP Esther Ouwehand was asked to leave a budget debate for wearing a shirt in the colors of the Palestinian flag.
The incident began after parliament speaker Martin Bosma, a member of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), ruled that Ouwehand’s outfit violated parliamentary rules requiring political neutrality. Initially reluctant to intervene, Bosma acted after objections from several party leaders, leading to Ouwehand’s departure.
Return With a Symbol of Protest
Ouwehand, who initially resisted but left voluntarily, returned shortly afterward wearing a shirt featuring a watermelon design – a widely recognized global symbol of solidarity with Palestine due to its red, green, black, and white colors, which mirror the Palestinian flag.
This time, she was allowed to speak and present her proposals without interruption.
Reactions and Wider Debate
Footage of the confrontation and Ouwehand’s symbolic return spread quickly across social media, sparking intense debate.
- Supporters praised her act as a “brave gesture of peaceful resistance.”
- Critics accused her of fueling divisions, highlighting the broader tensions the Gaza conflict has stirred within European societies.
Later, Ouwehand defended her actions, saying her clothing choice was a form of protest and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“When the government refuses to recognize genocide and refuses to act, it is our duty to keep showing solidarity with Palestinians. Free Palestine,” she declared.
