Hundreds Rally in The Hague Ahead of NATO Summit, Urge Peace Over Military Spending
June 23, 2025
The Hague, Netherlands — Just two days before The Hague hosts a pivotal NATO summit, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Dutch city on Sunday to voice their opposition to rising military expenditures, ongoing global conflicts, and the looming risk of war with Iran.
The peaceful rally, held in a park near the upcoming summit venue, brought together a diverse coalition of activists — including anti-war campaigners, environmentalists, and members of the Iranian diaspora. The message was clear: redirect global priorities away from weapons and toward sustainable peace.
“Let’s invest in peace and sustainable energy,” declared Jos d’Haese, a prominent Belgian politician, addressing the crowd.
His call was met with cheers from protesters waving banners and placards calling for diplomacy and climate action instead of armed confrontation.
Anti-War Sentiment Grows Amid Rising Tensions with Iran
The protest came just a day after the United States launched military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, raising alarm among peace advocates. Many demonstrators carried signs reading “No War with Iran”, reflecting growing fears of escalation in the Middle East.
Among the protesters was Hossein Hamadani, a 74-year-old Iranian resident in the Netherlands. “We are opposed to war. People want to live a peaceful life,” he said. “Look at the world around us — from the climate crisis to economic instability. Why should we spend more on weapons when we need solutions for peace and survival?”
NATO Faces Pushback as It Eyes Record Defense Hike
The annual NATO summit, scheduled to begin Tuesday and run through Wednesday, will convene leaders from all 32 member countries. A key topic on the agenda is defense spending — a priority pushed aggressively by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who continues to influence alliance policy.
While many NATO nations have increased military budgets since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine over three years ago, roughly one-third of members still fall short of the alliance’s 2% GDP spending goal. Trump has demanded a new threshold of 5%, sparking friction within the bloc.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently warned that such a leap would be “unreasonable and counterproductive,” in a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, formerly the Dutch Prime Minister.
Unprecedented Security Measures in Place
In response to potential threats during the summit, the Netherlands has launched its most extensive security operation in history, code-named “Orange Shield.” The plan includes thousands of police officers, military personnel, aerial drones, restricted airspace, and reinforced cybersecurity defenses.
Despite the heavy security, Sunday’s protest remained peaceful. Organizers emphasized the importance of civil discourse and democratic expression — especially in a moment when global tensions are high and public trust in international institutions is wavering.
A Global Call for Peace in a Fractured World
The rally in The Hague is part of a broader wave of public demonstrations sweeping across Europe, as citizens question the growing allocation of funds to military budgets amidst ongoing humanitarian crises — from Gaza to Ukraine and now Iran.
As NATO leaders prepare to make consequential decisions this week, demonstrators are urging them to consider not just national security, but human security — rooted in peace, diplomacy, and sustainable development.