Dutch police arrest pro-Palestinian protesters gathering in Amsterdam despite ban

Earlier, Dutch justice had confirmed the ban, wanted by the mayor of the Dutch capital, of this demonstration which comes three days after supporters of an Israeli football club, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, were violently taken part on the sidelines of a match against Ajax Amsterdam.

Three days after violence occurred on the sidelines of a match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dutch police arrested pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Sunday, November 10. In riot gear, the police intervened while supporters of the Palestinian cause were gathered on Dam Square, in the center of the Dutch capital, despite a ban on demonstrations. According to AFP, they chanted slogans and brandished signs.

Earlier, Dutch justice had confirmed the ban, wanted by the mayor of Amsterdam, of this pro-Palestinian demonstration. The councilor took this measure after supporters of the Israeli football club were violently attacked by groups of people, on the night of Thursday to Friday, on the sidelines of the meeting held in the capital.

The violence, which led to the brief hospitalization of five supporters of the Israeli club and the arrest of around sixty people, sparked indignation around the world. US President Joe Biden denounced violence “anti-Semites” et “despicable”.

Reacting to this ban, Dutch activist Frank van der Linde informed the Dutch agency ANP that he wanted to demonstrate at Dam Square against the “genocide in Gaza, but also because [le] right to demonstrate has been withdrawn.