Utrecht4Palestine will hold a day-long memorial on Thursday, 2 October, at the Stadhuisplein in Utrecht to honor the lives of Palestinians killed amid ongoing conflict. The event, featuring a continuous reading of the names of 6,700 Palestinian victims, live music, poetry, and a sit-in protest, comes in the wake of the Utrecht city council rejecting a motion proposing a local boycott of Israeli institutions. Organizers say the action seeks both remembrance and a call for stronger measures to protect human rights.


Event Details

The memorial action will take place across key locations in Utrecht:

  • 09:00 – 24:00: Names Reading at Stadhuisplein
    Throughout the day, volunteers and participants will read aloud the names of 6,700 Palestinians who have lost their lives due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. Organizers hope this continuous act of remembrance will personalize the scale of the crisis for local citizens.

  • 18:00: Sit-In at Utrecht Central Station
    Following the names reading, a sit-in protest will occur at Utrecht Central Station. The demonstration aims to highlight what organizers describe as a failure by local and international authorities to adopt measures like boycotts or sanctions that could pressure Israel to halt human rights violations.

  • 19:00: Silent March from Utrecht Central Station to Stadhuis
    Participants will then engage in a silent march, walking through the city as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Palestinians and a visual reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

The program also features poetry readings and live music to create reflective spaces amid the protest activities. Organizers emphasize that the action is intended as peaceful, respectful remembrance rather than confrontation.


Organizers’ Perspective

Utrecht4Palestine, the group behind the event, frames the memorial as a response to what it calls “structural neglect and violence” against Palestinians. Elaine Vis, spokesperson for the organization, explains that the refusal of the Utrecht city council to adopt a local boycott policy is a central motivating factor:

“This memorial is about remembering lives lost, but also about accountability. Every day that sanctions are refused, lives are being lost in Gaza and the West Bank. We want to make that visible to the people of Utrecht.”

The group is calling for Utrecht to reaffirm its status as a “city of human rights” by advocating for stronger measures against institutions linked to human rights violations.


Background on Palestinian Casualties

Palestinian casualties have risen sharply over the last decades due to recurring cycles of military operations, airstrikes, and clashes in Gaza and the West Bank. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and various human rights NGOs:

  • At least 6,700 Palestinians have died in the most recent escalations since the rejection of the boycott motion, including both combatants and civilians.

  • Tens of thousands have been injured, with many requiring long-term medical care in an already strained healthcare system.

  • Hundreds of thousands have been displaced due to airstrikes, house demolitions, and military incursions, particularly in Gaza’s densely populated neighborhoods.

Humanitarian organizations report that children and women account for a significant proportion of the casualties, with widespread psychological trauma affecting those who survive. Education and essential services have also been severely disrupted, further amplifying the human cost.


Explanation of Israeli Military Operations & Restrictions

Human rights groups describe the Israeli military strategy in Gaza and the West Bank as a combination of blockades, targeted airstrikes, raids, and settlement expansions. Specific measures include:

  • Blockades: Restrictions on goods, fuel, and medical supplies entering Gaza have contributed to humanitarian crises, including limited access to clean water, electricity, and medical equipment.

  • Airstrikes and Raids: Military operations targeting militant groups have resulted in civilian casualties, including children and elderly residents.

  • Settlement Expansion: The ongoing construction of settlements in the West Bank is widely criticized as undermining prospects for a two-state solution.

  • Movement Restrictions: Checkpoints, curfews, and travel limitations hinder access to healthcare, education, and employment for Palestinian civilians.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have highlighted that many of these measures violate international humanitarian law, with disproportionate impact on civilians.


Local Political Context

The Utrecht city council recently voted against a motion that would have implemented a local boycott of Israeli institutions. Proponents argued that such a boycott could pressure Israel to adhere to international law and human rights standards. Opponents, however, cited concerns about diplomatic ramifications, economic impact, and local political tensions.

The decision has sparked debate among citizens and activist groups, with Utrecht4Palestine positioning the 2 October event as a response to the council’s inaction. Organizers emphasize that the memorial and protest are a peaceful attempt to engage the city in reflection and discussion over its human rights responsibilities.


Critics vs. Counter-Arguments

The debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply polarized. Critics of Israel’s policies, including activist groups and international human rights organizations, describe the situation as “structural oppression” in which Palestinian rights are systematically undermined. They highlight civilian casualties, displacement, and restricted access to basic services as evidence of disproportionate and punitive measures.

Conversely, Israel frames its military actions as necessary security measures aimed at protecting citizens from rocket attacks, terrorism, and militant operations originating in Gaza. Israeli officials stress that operations are targeted at combatants, not civilians, though human rights observers argue that the distinction is often unclear in densely populated areas.

The 2 October memorial in Utrecht aims to provide a platform for reflection amid these competing narratives, emphasizing human suffering without explicitly engaging in political advocacy beyond the call for remembrance and human rights accountability.


Quotes from Organizers and Human Rights Reports

Elaine Vis, Utrecht4Palestine spokesperson, states:

“Every name we read on 2 October represents a life lost, a family shattered, a community impacted. By bringing these stories to the streets of Utrecht, we hope to foster awareness and solidarity that transcends borders.”

Human Rights Watch’s recent report notes:

“Civilians in Gaza continue to face severe restrictions on movement, access to healthcare, and protection from conflict-related violence. International law obligates all parties to minimize civilian harm and ensure basic humanitarian protections.”

UN OCHA data corroborates these findings, highlighting a persistent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with high casualty rates, widespread displacement, and disrupted essential services.


Closing Reflection

The 2 October memorial in Utrecht is part of a broader global movement in which cities and civil society groups stage events to remember victims of conflict and advocate for human rights protections. Actions such as the names reading, sit-in, and silent march serve as both symbolic remembrance and public education, encouraging citizens to confront the human consequences of political and military decisions.

By situating the Utrecht event in this international context, organizers hope to underscore that the Palestinian experience is not isolated and that local communities can play a role in amplifying awareness and pressing for accountability. Utrecht4Palestine emphasizes that while policy change is slow, public acts of remembrance and solidarity can foster engagement, reflection, and pressure for long-term solutions aligned with human rights standards.

As the sun sets on 2 October, the continuous reading of names at Stadhuisplein will conclude, but organizers hope that the impact of this memorial will resonate far beyond a single day, inspiring reflection, discussion, and global solidarity with those living under the weight of conflict.


Contact Information:
For more information, please reach out to Utrecht4Palestine: