| Updated following the investigation at the end of this article.|
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During a police operation at an asylum reception centre (AZC) in Zeist on 19 May 2026, a confrontation with the police occurred following the actions of a police dog handler. Media coverage has largely focused on the background of the man involved and on the police statement that officers responded to a report of threats and vandalism. According to the police, intervention was necessary to ensure the safety of those present. On social media, however, attention has primarily focused on the way the police treated the man's pregnant wife. That is also the aspect on which we focus.
What Happened?
Video footage shows a Palestinian man crouching on the floor with his arms behind his back. Five police officers are standing in the corridor, including a dog handler. A woman is standing nearby and observing the situation. One officer lightly touches her upper arm; she turns around and pushes his arm away. The dog handler then immediately approaches her and forcefully brings her to the ground.
The man subsequently gets up and attacks the officers present. The woman was nine months pregnant at the time. Following the initial intervention, other officers grab her, including by her clothing and collar, and pull her backward by the arm. The footage appears to show her being moved forcefully while lying on the ground.
What Is the Position of Controle Alt Delete?
Based on the available footage, there does not appear to be an immediate threat at the moment of intervention that would justify the use of physical force against the woman. It is precisely this intervention that raises serious questions about the proportionality and necessity of the force used.
Immediately before the woman is brought to the ground, the situation appears relatively calm. The escalation follows directly after the physical intervention against her, after which the man gets up and attacks the police. While that attack cannot be justified in itself, it should be assessed separately from the lawfulness of the preceding police actions.
The woman does not appear to be using violence or posing an immediate threat to the officers present. Although she appears unwilling to comply with instructions to move away, that fact alone does not automatically justify the use of physical force in this manner.
In addition, after the initial use of force, she is visibly grabbed and moved while lying on the ground. This also raises questions about the manner of arrest and the proportionality of the force used during the subsequent phase of the incident.
Controle Alt Delete believes that the police should clarify the grounds on which this use of force was applied and explain how it complies with the requirements of professional and proportionate policing. Based on the available footage, that necessity is currently insufficiently clear.
Other reactions and context
The incident has also attracted international attention. Francesca Albanese shared the footage on X and wrote: “Dutch friends, if you tolerate this, your children will be next.”
The footage has generated significant reactions on social media. This response is understandable given the disturbing nature of the images and the way a pregnant woman is approached and brought to the ground. At the same time, these reactions illustrate how such incidents are situated within broader societal concerns about, on the one hand, the genocide in Palestine and, on the other, racial profiling and the use of excessive police force.
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UPDATE
Police conclusion: According to NOS, the police declined to share the investigation, stating: "According to the police, this is an internal procedure, and not everything may be made public." Their final conclusion was that the way the officers intervened was necessary "to ensure the safety of those involved."
Our response to the investigation:
There does not appear to have been any immediate threat visible that would justify the use of this level of force. The officers' continued restraint and relocation of the woman also raise questions about the proportionality and necessity of their actions.
"Police officers are evaluating the actions of other police officers. The police are not making the investigation public. That is what the review of police use of force looks like."
Controle Alt Delete believes the police should explain why this force was used and how it complies with the rules governing professional and proportionate policing. The incident has sparked widespread national and international reactions.