Dutch Police Arrest Five More in Connection to Antisemitic Violence Following Football Match

Dutch Police Arrest Five More in Connection to Antisemitic Violence Following Football Match

Dutch authorities have arrested five more individuals in connection with violent incidents that occurred in Amsterdam following a Europa League match between Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv and local club Ajax on Thursday night. The five men, aged between 18 and 37, are suspected of "public violence against persons" before and after the match.

The arrests come as unrest continued in the city, with additional incidents reported on Monday evening, including an attack on an empty tram. Rioters, reportedly shouting "Free Palestine," clashed with police, damaging vehicles in the western suburb of Amsterdam. Police quickly intervened, extinguishing a fire on the tram and making arrests. No injuries were reported during the latest disturbances.

The violence that followed the football match has drawn widespread condemnation, particularly over the antisemitic nature of the attacks on Maccabi supporters. Prime Minister Dick Schoof described the violence as "shocking and reprehensible," emphasizing that attacks against Israelis and Jews were intolerable.

Schoof also addressed reports that Maccabi supporters had been involved in violence earlier, including burning a Palestinian flag and chanting anti-Arab slogans. He condemned these actions as well but made it clear that they did not justify the antisemitic attacks that followed.

Since Thursday, police have made a total of 68 arrests in connection with the violence, with one individual released but remaining a suspect. Dutch authorities are focused on bringing all those responsible for the attacks to justice. The violence has been especially poignant, occurring just days before the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against German Jews, which remains a painful reminder of Europe’s history of antisemitism.

Reports of rising antisemitic incidents across Europe have increased since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding Israel and Palestine. The violence in Amsterdam has sparked concern about growing divisions and has led to calls for a unified stance against hatred and violence of all forms.

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