Israeli football supporters clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in Amsterdam

Amsterdam November 09, 2024(QJ) -On Thursday night, Israeli football supporters clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters before and after a European football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax in Amsterdam.

A member of the Amsterdam city council stated that Israeli supporters instigated the violence after arriving in the city and attacking Palestinian supporters during the match.

Amsterdam has banned protests for three days following the violent clashes on Thursday night, in which Israeli football supporters were beaten and injured. Dutch officials condemned the hate crimes on Friday.

Dutch police announced they have launched a major investigation into multiple incidents following the Europa League football match between Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Dutch team Ajax on Thursday night.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema stated that motorbike gang members roamed the city looking for Maccabi supporters to carry out “hit-and-run” attacks. “This is a very difficult time for our city… I am deeply ashamed of the behavior exhibited last night,” she said at a press conference on Friday.