Dutch Court Distinguishes Between Vandalism and Hate Crime in Pro-Palestinian Protest Case
The Hague, 24 March 2026
Two activists who threw ketchup and flour at a Jewish organisation’s office receive conditional fines rather than hate crime convictions, marking a significant legal distinction in Netherlands protest law.
Court Rejects Antisemitism Charges
On Monday, 23 March 2026, The Hague police court acquitted Trees L. (67) and Muis L. (62) of discrimination and antisemitism charges related to their vandalism of the Centre for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI) office in August 2025 [1][2]. The court distinguished between property damage and hate speech, finding insufficient evidence for antisemitism charges despite the vandalism targeting a Jewish organisation’s premises [1]. Both activists received conditional fines of €350 each, a significantly lighter sentence than the community service of 30 and 45 hours respectively demanded by the Public Prosecution Service [2][3].
The August 2025 Incident
The vandalism occurred on 7 August 2025, whilst the Dutch Parliament was debating the situation in Gaza [3][4]. Muis L. threw ketchup and flour at the CIDI office building, whilst Trees L. threw a different liquid substance [2]. The activists filmed their actions and distributed the footage on social media, which the judge noted “looked like a tightly directed attack” [2]. CIDI employees were working inside the building at the time of the incident [4]. The activists were arrested approximately one month later, in September 2025 [2][4].
Legal Arguments and Motivations
The Public Prosecution Service argued that the use of ketchup suggested “Jews have blood on their hands” and constituted discriminatory vandalism [1]. However, both defendants denied antisemitic motivations. Trees L. stated: “I am deeply affected by the accusation of racism, because I am not a racist” [2]. She further argued that CIDI employees “are acting like victims” and that “you don’t have to be a victim forever” [2]. Muis L. admitted she “didn’t read the statutes before I bought ketchup and flour” [2]. Both activists maintained their actions were motivated by anger towards Israel’s actions against Palestinians and CIDI’s pro-Israel advocacy [1].
Broader Context of Activism and Security Concerns
Trees L., an experienced activist with multiple previous arrests, was also acquitted on Monday of allegedly vandalising a police van in December 2025 following an Extinction Rebellion protest at Amsterdam’s RAI exhibition centre [1]. The court case occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions, with CIDI reporting daily threats via telephone and email [2]. Ronnie Eisenmann, CIDI’s board chairman, explained: “We live with that, but if someone is at the door, you never know in advance if they will become violent” [2]. The ruling comes as Jewish institutions face increased security concerns, with attacks on synagogues and Jewish schools demonstrating the proximity of antisemitic violence [5].