Violence in Amsterdam: Palestinian flag torn down, 63 arrests, “planned ambush”… Three days later, where is the investigation?

Amsterdam still in shock. After the violence that occurred on Thursday, November 7 following the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, the Dutch city is struggling to turn the page. Nearly three days later, the media and political attention has still not let up. A new person was arrested this November 10 according to Le Parisien, the 63rd already. What information do we currently have about this evening of violence and what are the expected consequences?

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The tensions actually begin the day before the match. “It was a night with incidents on both sides,” said Peter Holla, local police chief. In a video posted on X and relayed by L’Équipe, we see individuals tearing off a Palestinian flag from the facade of a building. According to the police chief, they are indeed “Maccabi supporters”. He further specifies that a “Palestinian flag was burned” and that Israeli supporters “destroyed a taxi”.

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However, no arrests were made following these actions. According to De Telegraaf, the main newspaper in the Netherlands, some Israelis were also guilty of attacks on motorists.

Another incriminating element is a video which circulated widely on social networks where we see Maccabi supporters singing in Hebrew. Among the words, “Let’s let the Tsahal (the Israeli army, editor’s note) win to finish off the Arabs” or even “Finish the Arabs, we will win”. However, it is impossible to say that these images were actually captured from Amsterdam.

After these events, the Dutch police were on alert on November 7, the day of the match. In the stadium, the first disturbances occurred during the minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the floods in Valencia, which some visitors did not respect.

63 arrested, investigation continues with help from Israel

The situation degenerated after the match and several groups of Israeli supporters were attacked in different places in the city. Some media, particularly in Israel, even spoke of a “planned ambush”. Despite the Dutch police escort, several of them suffered violence and were injured. 5 people were hospitalized following these clashes.

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The Dutch police are still trying to clarify these still murky facts. She called on the population to transmit any videos that could correspond to events that occurred during that evening. In fact, law enforcement is focusing their efforts on analyzing these videos. And this is (a little) bearing fruit since a 63rd person was arrested thanks to these analyses. It was not specified whether Israelis were suspected.

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Around forty people arrested were released with a fine for “disturbing public order”. Among those remaining in detention, two minors are waiting to be presented to a judge. Other suspected incidents are insults, vandalism or possession of fireworks.

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The Netherlands has just accepted the help offered by Israel to support them in the continuation of the investigation. The form that this aid will take is not yet known. At the same time, Amsterdam is experiencing emergency measures (ban on demonstrations for example) which will be maintained until November 14.