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Tensions rose in the Dutch capital after Maccabi fans removed the Palestinian flag and chanted anti-Arab slogans such as: ‘No more children in Gaza’.
The Dutch capital Amsterdam is under tight security following clashes this week between pro-Palestinian supporters and fans of an Israeli football club ahead of a UEFA Europa League match.
Tensions first escalated when Israeli soccer fans, ahead of their club’s match with a Dutch team, allegedly took down the Palestinian flag and chanted anti-Arab slogans – such as “No more children in Gaza” – according to videos verified by Reuters and witnesses interviewed by Al Jazeera. on the field.
Here’s what we know about the conflict and what preceded it.
What happened in Amsterdam and when?
- Tensions in the city rose on Wednesday when fans of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived in Amsterdam. A day later, the players of the club they support were supposed to play a match against the Dutch soccer team Ajax.
- Later on Wednesday, Maccabi fans set fire to a Palestinian flag in the central Dam square and destroyed a taxi, Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla told a news conference. Video verified by Reuters showed Maccabi fans lighting torches and chanting: “Ole, ole, let (the Israeli army) win” and “F*** the Arabs”.
- Israeli fans attacked houses displaying Palestinian flags, Amsterdam City Council member Jazie Veldhuyzen told Al Jazeera.
- On Thursday night, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans chanted anti-Arab slogans as they marched towards the stadium, footage shows. Police escorted fans to the game, and local authorities banned pro-Palestinian protesters from gathering outside the stadium. The pro-Palestinian march was organized on the nearby Anton de Komplein square.
- Ajax celebrated against Maccabi in the Europa League match, winning 5:0.
- After the game, groups on scooters targeted Maccabi fans as they made their way to the city center.
- The intervention police got involved. The police escorted part of the fans to the hotel. An additional 600 police officers were hired.
- 62 people were detained. Ten remain in custody, chief city prosecutor Rene de Beukelaer told reporters at a news conference on Friday. A day later, Amsterdam prosecutors said that 10 people were suspected of crimes, such as vandalism, while 40 suspects were punished for disturbing public order and peace.
- Amsterdam police are reviewing security camera footage, social media posts and other evidence to identify those involved in the clashes, so more arrests could be made.
Where did it happen?
- The conflict took place in the city center, around Dam Square and the train station in Amsterdam.
- The police said that the fans left the stadium peacefully and without conflict.
How did the authorities react?
- Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, who called the attacks “an eruption of anti-Semitism”, imposed a three-day ban on protests, from Friday to Sunday.
- Other extraordinary measures were also introduced, including the possibility of stop and search and the prohibition of face coverings.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the state intelligence agency Mossad to create a plan to prevent violence at international events, he announced in a video statement.
- The Israeli government initially ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam to bring the fans home, but Netanyahu’s office later announced it would arrange commercial flights instead.
- Many fans were escorted by police buses to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
- Maccabi advised its fans to stay in hotels and avoid wearing or displaying visible Jewish symbols until departure. UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, said it would investigate the incident and review security protocols for future matches.
Were there any injuries?
- Five people were hospitalized and released on Friday, Amsterdam police confirmed, without providing further information on whether the injured were Dutch or Israeli.
- Between 20 and 30 people received minor injuries. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 10 Israelis were injured.
- Mayor Halsema said that Maccabi fans from Tel Aviv were “attacked and abused” around the city.
- At least one fan reported being injured after being hit in the head with a rock.
- In addition, Amsterdam police spokeswoman Sara Tillart said that the investigation is still ongoing and that it is too early to say whether other people besides football fans were targeted.
What happened last?
- Order in Amsterdam was restored on Friday, around three in the morning local time, police chief Holla said. Increased security measures are still in place, especially around Jewish buildings and monuments.
What are the international reactions?
- Joseph Biden, the president of the United States of America and a close ally of Israel, condemned the attacks, saying they are “despicable” and “recall the dark moments in history when Jews were persecuted.”
- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was shocked by the incident, a UN spokesman said.
- Meanwhile, Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, criticized the Western media for covering up the violence of Israeli fans in Amsterdam.
- Dima Said of the Palestine Football Association said the incident was unfortunately labeled as anti-Semitic. “We Palestinians are sorry that this incident was presented as anti-Semitic, instead of addressing the main issue – why Israeli clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv are allowed to participate in international competitions while Israel is committing acts of genocide, occupation and expulsion of Palestinians,” she told Al Jazeera. , speaking from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
What’s next?
- Over the past few days, there has been an increase in security concerns during the upcoming matches of Israeli teams in Europe. In the next away game in the Europa League, Maccabi Tel Aviv plays against the Turkish club Besiktas. The Turkish authorities have already decided that the match will not be played in Istanbul and are discussing an alternative neutral venue.
- Meanwhile, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed that the Israeli soccer team’s match in Paris will be played as scheduled on November 14.
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