Amsterdam Grapples with Violence and Protests Following Israeli Football Match - Times News Global
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Amsterdam Grapples with Violence and Protests Following Israeli Football Match

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Amsterdam Protests Israeli Football Match

Amsterdam is reeling from a series of violent incidents and protests that erupted in the wake of a football match between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch giants Ajax. On the night of November 7, fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were attacked by men on scooters in various parts of the city. The attackers, who were shouting pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel slogans, targeted Israeli tourists, leading to widespread fear and chaos. Hundreds of Israelis were forced to hide in their hotels to avoid further attacks.

The Dutch police have arrested several individuals involved in these anti-Semitic attacks, which were reportedly mobilized through social media calls to target Jews. Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, condemned the attacks as “pure anti-Semitism”.

In response to the violence, Dutch authorities imposed a temporary ban on rallies and demonstrations. However, this ban was defied by pro-Palestinian protesters on Wednesday, November 13. Dozens of protesters were detained by the police for violating the ban and refusing to disperse. The protesters were chanting anti-Israel slogans, including “Amsterdam says no to genocide”.

The recent unrest has raised significant questions about the official response and whether the violence could have been foreseen and prevented. There are also concerns about deep-rooted racism and Islamophobia in the official handling of the situation.

The Israeli government took measures to ensure the safety of its citizens, deciding not to send military personnel to Amsterdam but instead deploying planes to evacuate the fans. Additionally, Tel Aviv advised its citizens not to attend the upcoming match between Israel and France in Paris on November 14.