Swarm for Palestine - Rotterdam

In solidarity with Palestinian refugees, we stand up against ongoing genocide and the critical conditions they face. The Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) has stopped processing Palestinian asylum requests, leaving people stranded without basic rights like work, education, or access to healthcare. We call on the Dutch government to recognise Palestinians as refugees and respect its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. We also urge a freeze on all relations with Isra*el.

In 2024 we organised a Dabke dance in Rotterdam’s shopping streets, honoring Palestinian culture while calling for solidarity and action. The genocide against Palestinians is also an attack on Palestinian culture. Dabke teachers Mostafa Betaree and Tina Chaer shared the basics of this Levantine folk dance, which began as a communal building practice: in ancient times, neighbors stamped together to compact mud and straw roofs, calling out “Al-Awneh” — “Let’s go help!” — to support each other and build community.

People joined spontaneously, and as the crowd grew, a team of Swarmers invited them to sign a petition urging the Dutch government to recognise Palestinians as refugees — something largely unknown at the time.

Free Palestine!