New Arrests in Amsterdam Following Football Match Violence

The recent violence in Amsterdam has led to multiple arrests as authorities grapple with rising antisemitic incidents following a football match.

Dutch police have announced five more arrests related to the violence that erupted after a football match featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax in Amsterdam last Thursday night. The suspects, aged between 18 and 37 years and all Dutch nationals, face charges of "public violence against persons." This unrest continued Monday evening when rioters ignited an empty tram and a police vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported that some protestors chanted "Free Palestine."

Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the events, labeling the antisemitic violence against Israelis and Jews as “shocking and reprehensible.” In light of these incidents, Amsterdam authorities have banned demonstrations until Thursday, although a pro-Palestinian gathering has been permitted in a park away from the city's center. Activists are pushing for a protest outside Amsterdam City Hall.

The violence escalated after last Thursday's Europa League match when youths on scooters attacked Maccabi supporters, resulting in hospital treatment for five individuals.

The latest arrests bring the total to 63 since the unrest began, with one suspect released but remaining under investigation. Police faced further disruptions Monday night, including property damage in a western suburb where the tram attack occurred. Videos circulated on social media showcasing the vandalism, which included fireworks being thrown at the tram, leading to its windows being broken.

Addressing the violence, Schoof reiterated the commitment to bringing those responsible for the attacks to justice. He acknowledged reports of violence between Maccabi supporters and locals, stating that violence from either side should not be condoned.

Adding to the tensions, a scheduled Europa League match for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Istanbul has been relocated to Debrecen, Hungary, and will proceed behind closed doors due to security concerns.

The violence has drawn outrage from leaders worldwide, especially poignant given the timing before commemorations of the 1938 Nazi pogroms against German Jews. In recent years, incidents of antisemitism have surged across Europe, particularly since the Gaza conflict escalated.