Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:50 PM CET
Nearly 50 donkeys rescued from Israel and Gaza have arrived at a sanctuary in the Netherlands, offering them a safe haven from escalating conflict and abuse. The animals were transported by truck this week to Het Ezelpaleis, an animal rescue operated by Marlhene Mouws in Baarle-Nassau.
Mouws responded after seeing images of mistreated donkeys circulating on Facebook. “I came across a video and immediately emailed,” she said. “’We have a lot of space here, I aim for to facilitate.’” Of the approximately 800 donkeys needing assistance in Israel, 49 were able to be transported.
The animals were flown in through a local animal rescue organization, a process Mouws described as “sensitive.”
The influx of rescued animals comes as reports of donkey abuse have increased since the start of the conflict. Esther Kef, founder of the animal welfare organization Animal Heroes, told Trouw that owners are often lashing out at the animals due to stress and frustration. “Some have been run over and one was even deliberately set on fire,” she said. The number of abused donkeys is reported to have doubled since the war began.
“It breaks my heart to see it,” Mouws said. “I couldn’t even finish watching the videos.”
“Ik krijg het er koud van, als ik het zie.”
The donkeys arrived at Het Ezelpaleis on Wednesday after being transported from Luik. Four will remain at the sanctuary, while the rest will be rehomed across Europe. Mouws plans to keep one donkey from each subsequent shipment. Approximately 800 donkeys in Israel are still awaiting safe homes.
“They are already here, completely free and happy,” Mouws said. “We can’t undo the past, but we can give them a good future.”
