Dutch pro-Palestine activist in detention starts hunger strike

DEN HAAG, Netherlands – Dutch 74-year old pro-Palestine activist Frans Rutgrink had his own unique way of protesting. On every Saturday and Sunday from noon until 2.30 pm he would stand in front of a Dutch supermarket in The Hague holding signs with slogans protesting against the persecution of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government. An example of steadfastness and resilience, despite his age, he had been doing this tirelessly for no less than 9 years.

Around the 23rd of August, his sympathizers lost sight of him. As far as they knew, he had disappeared mysteriously, until a few days ago. They found out he was in detention at a penitentiary institution in Zoetermeer. Den Haag FM reported yesterday that his arrest was based on an incident that allegedly happened in the beginning of August at the Grote Marktstraat. A passer-by supposedly threatened him, after which Rutgrink was said to have pushed the man onto the pavement.

Den Haag FM also reported that authorities offered Rutgrink to be released, on the condition that he would end his protests. However, he refused, and has gone on a hunger strike. He has not taken any food since 7 days.

The news of his detention and his hunger strike has caused widespread unrest among pro-Palestine activists in the Netherlands. A closed group on Facebook already has over 750 members, and it is expected that more social media activism will be undertaken in his support.

Note: the day after publishing this report, Frans Rutgrink was released from detention and ended his 8-day hunger strike. Read more in this article in Middle East Eye.