Dutch riot police clashed with approximately 500 far-right protesters in central The Hague on Saturday after violence broke out at a rally where antisemitic slogans were chanted. Protesters threw fireworks and other projectiles at officers, prompting police to use baton charges and specialist dogs to disperse the crowd, according to AFP reporters on the scene.

The "We Are the People" rally was organized to protest government policies, particularly those related to immigration. Protesters had planned to march through the city, but local authorities banned the march when violence erupted in the park where demonstrators were gathering. Authorities then ordered the demonstration to break up.

Police said they arrested 24 people and used water cannons to disperse the rioters, adding that further investigations are underway. On X, Prime Minister Rob Jetten said the demonstrators had deliberately sought confrontation with police and had chanted "abhorrent" far-right and antisemitic slogans.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister David van Weel called for an "extremely firm" response to the "disgusting scenes" that occurred at the protest. Van Weel said demonstrators made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, attacked police, and threw fireworks at riot officers.

Saturday's unrest occurred one year after riots broke out during a right-wing demonstration. During clashes between black-clad protesters and police, a police car was set on fire, and the headquarters of the centrist D66 party — whose leader, Rob Jetten, is now prime minister — was attacked.

Source: www.dw.com