Amsterdam recently became the center of intense tension after an incident involving fans of the Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv, who faced violent encounters and attacks during their visit for a match against Dutch team Ajax. The violence occurred on Thursday night, leading authorities to temporarily ban demonstrations over the weekend and grant police additional powers for security purposes. The incidents included reported “antisemitic hit-and-run attacks” on Israeli fans by groups described by Mayor Femke Halsema as “boys on scooters” TheGuardian.com DW.com. The confrontation resulted in injuries to Israeli fans, some of whom required hospitalization, while the police detained 62 people for their involvement. Several detainees faced charges of public disorder or were fined and released, with four suspects remaining in custody for violent conductTheGuardian.com.

The violence was reportedly preceded by heightened tensions and isolated incidents earlier in the week, when Israeli fans allegedly vandalized a taxi and burned a Palestinian flag, which contributed to the city’s charged atmosphere. According to sources, police had implemented enhanced security measures, such as prohibiting demonstrations near the stadium and deploying additional officers to manage crowd controlNYTimes.com. The Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, later condemned the violence and announced the cancellation of his planned trip to the COP29 climate summit, emphasizing the need to remain in the Netherlands to address the aftermath of the incidentDW.com. A court upheld the decision to ban demonstrations through Monday morning, with the Amsterdam District Court citing the continued need for heightened security and public order in light of recent violenceAlJazeera.com.

The incident has led to debates on both sides, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators criticizing the demonstration ban as a suppression of their right to protest. Organizers accused the authorities of labeling their actions as antisemitic to undermine Palestinian solidarity efforts, further stating that their protests are aimed at expressing opposition to Israel’s policies rather than targeting Jewish peopleAlJazeera.com. Despite the prohibition, hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Sunday at Amsterdam’s Dam Square, calling for an end to violence in Gaza and displaying pro-Palestinian slogans. The protest, while largely peaceful, was met with police action to disperse participantsAlJazeera.com.

Meanwhile, the Jewish community and Israeli visitors voiced concerns over the incidents, viewing the violence as part of a broader pattern of antisemitic actions. Several fans were aided by local Jewish networks, with organizations like Chabad providing assistance in securing transportation and food. Some Israeli fans chose not to use local taxis due to reports that drivers might lead them into areas where further attacks awaited themJPost.com. The Dutch police reported discovering “Free Palestine” stickers with razor blades hidden underneath, a tactic aimed at injuring those who attempt to remove them, further fueling concerns about safety and escalationJPost.com.

Authorities are now conducting a broad investigation into the violence, with Amsterdam’s police chief acknowledging that despite the large deployment, they were unable to prevent the incidents. Social media played a significant role in organizing the attacks, with some Telegram groups reportedly sharing instructions on targeting Jewish individuals. The city’s history with antisemitism during World War II was noted in the context of recent tensions, particularly as the incident took place just days before the anniversary of KristallnachtNYTimes.com. Both Dutch and Israeli governments are now working to collect testimonies and evidence from Israeli citizens to assist with prosecution efforts, underscoring the gravity of the situation and Amsterdam’s commitment to addressing the unrestJPost.com.