The police in Amsterdam arrested five additional individuals on assault charges over the weekend, bringing the total number of people held in connection to attacks on Israeli soccer fans to eight. Four of the latest arrests remain in custody, and authorities indicated that further arrests may occur. The suspects, all men aged between 18 and 37, were urged by police to share any video footage that could assist the investigation.
On Monday afternoon, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof commented on the incidents, stating that the attackers primarily had “a migration background.” He emphasized the need to address integration issues in society, attributing the violence to these underlying problems.
Recent tensions in Amsterdam have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has sparked protests in the city. Although most demonstrations have been peaceful, some have escalated into violence, including an incident that disrupted the city’s new Holocaust museum opening.
On Monday night, unrest continued in Amsterdam, with riot police responding to incidents of vandalism and fireworks being thrown, which resulted in a tram being set on fire in a western square. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area.
Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema issued a letter to the City Council, characterizing the recent events as a dangerous mixture of antisemitism, hooligan behavior, and anger over the Israel-Palestine conflict. She asserted that antisemitism should not be countered with more racism, stressing that the safety of one group should not come at the cost of another.
In Belgium, two minors, aged 14 and 17, were arrested in Antwerp for allegedly inciting violence against Jewish residents via social media. Five additional individuals connected to a gathering responding to these online calls were arrested but released hours later without charges. Antwerp police are monitoring social media for further incitements, as recent messages have echoed the violent events in Amsterdam.
The violence in Amsterdam occurred amid ongoing unrest related to a soccer match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Tensions escalated when Israeli fans allegedly vandalized property and displayed provocative behavior prior to the match. Prime Minister Schoof condemned the actions of Maccabi fans but stressed that this did not justify the subsequent attacks on Israeli individuals, which he labeled “unadulterated antisemitism.”
Following the match, groups of men reportedly targeted Israeli fans, resulting in five hospitalizations and injuries to 20 to 30 others in what police described as “hit and run” attacks. Verified videos showed groups of men confronting and assaulting those identified as Maccabi supporters.
Prime Minister Schoof reiterated that there is no justification for violence against Jewish individuals and expressed a commitment to combat antisemitism and apprehend those responsible. By Friday, police had reported a total of 63 arrests, primarily occurring before the match rather than in the aftermath of the violence.
In response to the unrest, Amsterdam officials implemented an emergency order prohibiting public protests and granting police the authority to conduct street searches. The Prime Minister indicated that plans for “tough measures” would be forthcoming, along with a comprehensive strategy to combat antisemitism to be presented by the government following a parliamentary debate.