Did a video capture an exchange in which a "Queer for Palestine" supporter wanted to join a rally in Amsterdam but was told by other participants that "We are Muslims and you disgust us"? No, that's not true: A viral post reused a 2021 recording documenting a Dutch-language exchange that did not contain such a phrase. At the time, news reports showed that "Queers Against Apartheid" were marching alongside other groups during the rally in Amsterdam.
The claim resurfaced in a post (archived here) published on X on September 3, 2025. It opened:
In Amsterdam, a 'Queer for Palestine' wanted to be part of the protest but was told: 'Get out, we don't want you here. We are Muslims and you disgust us. You have no place in our cause.' LGBT who support Palestine have to be the dumbest people ever!
The post included a 24-second video showing a cyclist with a multicolored flag. That person talked to at least two other people, and one of them was carrying a Palestinian flag.
This is what the opening frame looked like in the video:
(Source: screenshot of a post by the realMaalouf account on X.com)
Contrary to the claim, however, the exchange did not contain the quote cited in the post.
Lead Stories Dutch-speaking staff transcribed and translated the conversation. It reads:
First guy: unintelligible... is die kant op.
Cyclist: Ik doe mee met de demonstratie.
Possibly same voice: ...je kunt beter deze kant op.
Second guy: Jij bent ook welkom.
Possibly other voice: Je bent welkom man!
First guy and second guy seem to argue.
Voice: Ik ben bang voor je.
First guy: Ik kom uit Palestina, wij zijn zoals iedereen. Christen, moslim, homo, iedereen! (Unintelligible).
Third guy: Wil je meelopen?
Cyclist: Ik doe mee!
Voice: Kom!
Third guy: ...unintelligible...
Cyclist: Ik kom uit Amstel station.
Voice: OK, top
Other voice: Ik ben bang voor je, man.
Translated:
First guy: ...unintelligible... is that way.
Cyclist: I'm participating in the demonstration.
Possibly same voice: ...it is better to go this way.
Second guy: You are welcome too.
Possibly other voice: You are welcome, man!
First guy and second guy seem to argue.
Voice: I'm scared for you
First guy: I'm from Palestine, we are like everyone, Christian, Muslim, gay, everyone! (Unintelligible).
Third guy: Do you want to march along?
Cyclist: I'm in!
Voice: Come!
Third guy: (Unintelligible).
Cyclist: I came from Amstel station.
Voice: OK, top.
Other voice: I'm scared for you, man.
Furthermore, the word on the flag did not explicitly identify the cyclist as a "Queer for Palestine" supporter: "Vrede" means "peace" in Dutch.
(Source: screenshot of DeepL.com)
Unlike LGBTQ+ flags that typically feature six or eight horizontal stripes (archived here), what the cyclist carries has seven stripes, with colors placed on it in a different order. That makes the person's banner look more consistent with a peace flag (archived here).
A reverse image search revealed a better-quality version of the video (archived here) has been online since 2021.
At the time, Dutch public broadcaster NOS published an article about the May 16, 2021, pro-Palestinian protests (archived here) taking place in Amsterdam and several other Dutch cities. One of the images from the report showed a Queers Against Apartheid banner in the crowd, confirming that members of that group were not excluded from the demonstrations:
(Source: screenshot of nos.nl)
On that day, the city of Amsterdam posted (archived here) a warning on X, diverting people from the city center because it became "too crowded." Social distancing of 1.5 meters (roughly five feet) was being required at that time to slow the spread of COVID-19.
