45 people suspected, police announce

Dutch police announced on Sunday that they were investigating 45 people in connection with the violence on the sidelines of the Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam last week, and nine of them have already been identified and arrested.

The number of suspects is expected to increase “partly based on the analysis of a large number of images”added the police. “Due to the seriousness of the crimes, but also their social impact, we immediately formed a special investigation team”explained the chief of the Dutch police, Janny Knol, quoted in a press release.

“Anti-Semitic” attacks

At the police station “examines all offenses committed before and after the match”declared Jamy Knol, after the violence which shook the Dutch capital on November 7, leading to several demonstrations and a near breakup of the government coalition. Police said tensions were high ahead of last week's soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and local team Ajax. Anti-Arab slogans were chanted by Israeli supporters, who also vandalized a taxi and burned a Palestinian flag in Amsterdam's main square.

After the match, Israeli fans were attacked by men on scooters. Police said the attackers were encouraged by calls to attack Jews on social media. Five Maccabi supporters were briefly hospitalized during the violence which sparked outrage among Western leaders. Dutch and Israeli authorities condemned the attacks, calling them“anti-Semites” and demanded that their perpetrators be quickly punished.

“We are interested in all crimes”

“It goes without saying, but I think it's worth emphasizing that we are interested in all offenses committed before and after the match. Regardless of the identity of the perpetrator or victim”underlined Jamy Knoll. Muslim rights groups condemned anti-Semitism, but stressed that the violence in Amsterdam was not one-sided. Last week, Prime Minister Dick Schoof blamed the violence on people “from immigration”.

Friday evening, Dick Schoof's right-wing government coalition narrowly avoided breaking up after the resignation of a secretary of state to protest against racist remarks made according to her by one of her colleagues in the council of ministers after this violence against Israeli fans. Dick Schoof strongly denied the allegations and attempted to allay concerns after a crisis meeting.