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Authorities in Amsterdam arrested numerous individuals on Sunday during a demonstration that was prohibited following violent incidents involving supporters of an Israeli soccer team. The unrest, which included assaults on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, has drawn significant backlash and accusations of antisemitism in the Dutch capital.
In light of the violence that unfolded earlier in the week, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema implemented a ban on all protests over the weekend. This decision came after disturbing scenes were reported, where groups of youths engaged in aggressive acts against Israeli supporters taking part in soccer matches on Thursday and Friday.
As the situation developed, local officials, alongside law enforcement and the public prosecutor’s office, announced an extension of the demonstration ban until Thursday morning.
Over recent days, Israel’s ambassador to the Netherlands revealed that approximately 2,000 Israelis were repatriated via special flights from Amsterdam amidst the escalating tensions.
Violence Reports Preceding the Match
Prior to the soccer match against Ajax, Maccabi fans were reported to have torn down a Palestinian flag and shouted anti-Arab slogans en route to the stadium, with incidents of physical confrontations also noted. Reports suggest that around 100 individuals were detained, as police confirmed the arrests without disclosing specific numbers.
Video footage captured during the protest showed participants chanting slogans such as “Free, free Palestine,” and police reported that arrests had begun for demonstrators who refused to disperse from a busy central square. The area is known for its high pedestrian traffic, particularly in the downtown shopping district near the city’s iconic canals.
In an attempt to overturn the prohibition on protests, organizers sought legal intervention on Sunday morning but were unsuccessful, as the judicial ruling upheld the mayor’s ban.
During the court proceedings, a senior police official indicated that there had been continued targeting of individuals believed to be Jewish, with reports emerging of harassment that included demands for passengers to exit taxis and requests for their identification.
WATCH | Dutch PM Expresses Shame Over Violence:
Dutch PM calls Amsterdam violence a ‘terrible, antisemitic attack’
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, speaking from a summit in Hungary, expressed his embarrassment over the events in Amsterdam, labeling the violence as deeply troubling. He assured that those responsible for the attacks would be held accountable.
Police initiated a comprehensive investigation after several youth groups executed what was described as “hit and run” attacks on attendees, purportedly fueled by online calls to target Jewish individuals. Medical personnel treated five victims in hospitals, and over 60 individuals were apprehended in connection with these assaults.
In response to the situation, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to the Netherlands to offer assistance with the ongoing police inquiry, meeting with Prime Minister Schoof to discuss the challenges posed by the acts of violence. Saar expressed that the attacks and the behavior targeting individuals based on their perceived ethnicity were reminiscent of darker chapters in history.
Meanwhile, police in Paris announced they would deploy an extensive security presence, including 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium personnel, for an upcoming France-Israel soccer match scheduled for Thursday. This measure aims to ensure safety both within the stadium and across the surrounding transportation networks.
Source
www.cbc.ca