At least 62 people were arrested and five injured this morning in Amsterdam after clashes between anti-Gaza war protesters and a group of Israeli soccer fans who came to the Dutch capital for a Maccabi Tel Aviv FC match against the ‘Ajax. A police spokesperson informed EFE that “verified information that can be shared” is being compiled on what happened before, during and after the match.
At present, Amsterdam police have confirmed that more than a dozen people were arrested for various crimes, mainly public disorder, before the start of the football match, when several hundred supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC gathered in Dam Square.
On the other hand, a demonstration authorized by the city council against the Israeli offensive against Gaza – which left more than 43,000 dead in 13 months – was recorded in an Amsterdam square located one kilometer from the Johan Cruijff Arena stadium. Some protesters attempted to head toward the stadium but were held back by riot police, who were attacked by fireworks, according to a brief police memo, which said a uniformed officer suffered “hearing damage”.
Finally, around thirty people were arrested for disturbing public order and for carrying or using fireworks during this demonstration. The Amsterdam police spokesperson consulted by EFE was unable to confirm the identity, nationality or affiliation of those arrested.
This Friday, the so-called Amsterdam “triangle” (made up of the city hall, the police and the public prosecutor’s office) indicated that Thursday night had been “very eventful, with several incidents of violence directed against Maccabi supporters ” in several places. in the city, and reported that riot police had to “intervene on several occasions, protecting Israeli fans and escorting them to hotels.” “The extent of the incidents, casualties and arrests are currently under investigation,” he added in the note.
“This outbreak of violence against Israeli fans is unacceptable and has no justification. There is no excuse for the anti-Semitic behavior demonstrated last night by rioters who were actively seeking Israeli supporters to attack and assault them,” the “triangle” insisted in its statement, asking all victims to come forward and to file a complaint.
Unverified images and videos that circulated on social media throughout the night show how Maccabi Tel Aviv FC fans are chased and attacked by masked men, as well as suspected Israeli fans tearing down Palestinian flags and chanting. slogans against Gazans, in favor of their extermination in Gaza.
The Israeli government denounced the incident and called it “very violent”, saying that Israeli fans were “ambushed and attacked” in Amsterdam after the Europa League match against Ajax, which ended 5-0 in favor of the Dutch team.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed his rejection of what happened last night in Amsterdam and said he was “horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks against Israeli citizens”, which he said was “totally unacceptable”. Schoof, who heads a government where the radical right is in the majority, also promised his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Nentayahu, that “those responsible will be identified and brought to justice.”
For its part, UEFA on Friday strongly condemned the acts of violence that occurred yesterday morning and announced that it would evaluate possible actions within the framework of its regulations, after examining all official reports. “We are convinced that the competent authorities will identify and charge as far as possible all those responsible for such acts,” the sports body said in a statement.
