Dutch Parliament Member Arrives Draped in Palestinian Flag, Returns Carrying Watermelon + Video
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and the Jerusalem Post, Esther ohand, a Dutch parliamentarian who appeared in support of Gaza wearing an outfit patterned after the Palestinian flag, was forced to leave the parliamentary session by the far-right Speaker.
Ohand attended a budget review meeting dressed in colors and patterns resembling the Palestinian flag. After taking the floor, Martin bosma, speaker of the Dutch Parliament and leader of a far-right faction, ordered her to leave and change her clothing.
Though, after exiting the session, Ohand returned wearing an outfit featuring a watermelon design as a symbol of resistance. (Since 1967-when Israel criminalized displaying the Palestinian flag-Palestinians have used sliced watermelon with its red, black, white, and green colors as an emblematic substitute for their flag.)
Bosma initially hesitated but referred to parliamentarians’ need for neutral attire. Ultimately, under pressure from leaders of other parties objecting to Ohand’s gesture, he enforced this unwritten rule against her.
Videos showing Ohand boldly returning to parliament and capturing attendees’ reactions have gone viral online. Supporters praise her courage while critics describe it as a symbolic display highlighting Europe’s growing divisions over Israel’s war on Gaza-and condemn it.
Ohand’s support for Palestine comes amid ongoing Israeli military assaults that have killed more than 65,000 Palestinians-mostly women and children-since October 2023. Tel Aviv’s brutal operations continue in Gaza. Ahead of an upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in New York City, numerous countries are preparing to recognize Palestine as an autonomous state.
