Dutch MPs have backed a move to make chanting the Pro-Palestinian slogan “from the river to the sea” a criminal offence after voting for a motion by the far-right PVV party.

The motion, which says the chant should be seen as a “call to violence”, was passed by a one-vote margin, but will have no direct consequences for protesters.

Justice minister Dilan Yesilgöz said in response to a previous motion on the subject that it was up to the prosecution service to decide whether to bring charges.

PVV leader Geert Wilders welcomed the vote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, but the coalition parties were divided on the issue.

Pieter Omtzigt’s centre-right NSC party voted against the measure on the grounds that it compromised the independence of the judiciary.

“Politicians should not step into the role of judges by drawing up lists of statements that are criminal offences,” NSC MP Sandra Palmen said.

Last year the court of appeal in Amsterdam ruled in a case brought against a pro-Palestinian activist that the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” did not break the law.

The court ruled that “there is no question of threats, incitement or fomenting hatred” being inferred from the statement.

Binnen een artikel 12 procedure heeft het @HofAmsterdam bepaald dat o.a. de oproep “From the river to the sea Palestine shall be free” niet strafbaar is. Mooi. Zou ook redelijk absurd zijn als het wel strafbaar zou zijn geweest, maar goed, je weet nooit tegenwoordig.

Graag RT! pic.twitter.com/adqNCdVzaE

— Frank van der Linde (@frankvdlinde) August 16, 2023