More than 90 individuals were apprehended by police in Rotterdam on Wednesday evening following a pro-Palestine demonstration held outside the city hall. The arrests occurred after the protesters declined to disperse despite repeated warnings from law enforcement.

The demonstration, which focused on cargo company Maersk and the Rotterdam port authority, accused them of facilitating the shipment of F-35 fighter jet spare parts to Israel. Campaigners allege that these entities are contributing to military support for Israel.

According to police statements, the protesters were given multiple opportunities to vacate the area before arrests were made. One individual was also taken into custody for assaulting a police officer during the operation.

The scheduled end time for the protest was 7:30 pm, but a group of protesters remained defiant, refusing to leave the premises. Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten subsequently ordered the formal termination of the demonstration at 8 pm, prompting police to move in and arrest those who remained.

Earlier in the week, Maersk’s Rotterdam headquarters were vandalized with graffiti, urging the company to “take off its mask.” However, the company has refuted the allegations, stating that they are “misleading.” A spokesman for Maersk clarified that while they ship parts to and from various producers, they do not deliver parts, weapons, or ammunition to the Israeli defense ministry.