Thousands of people took part in a protest against NATO policy in the Netherlands

A protest against NATO's military policy was held in The Hague, attended by 5,000 people. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on June 22.

"The planned protest against NATO's military policy escalated into a condemnation of the US attacks on Iran, and its participants expressed concern about rising tensions in the Middle East," the agency said in a statement.

It is clarified that the organizers of the event reported that the participants marched to the Peace Palace, where the International Court of Justice is located, the police did not track the number of protesters. The demonstrators carried placards saying "Hands off Iran," as well as signs calling for de-escalation, diplomacy, and the dissolution of NATO.

The protesters also opposed US President Donald Trump's proposed defense spending target of 5% of gross domestic product (GDP).One of the activists told the agency that there was no need for these arms costs, as it would benefit the military-industrial complex, not society.

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The alliance is approaching the Hague summit in a divided state

On June 22, Reuters reported that all NATO countries agreed to sign the final statement of the NATO summit on raising targeted military spending from 2% to 5% of GDP, but only by 2035. Yle TV and radio company reported on June 7 that representatives of Finnish parties in opposition opposed the government's plans to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. In their opinion, due to the growth of military spending, the social security sector may suffer.