Dutch police have made five new arrests in connection with the violence that occurred during a soccer game involving an Israeli team in Amsterdam last week. The arrests were made as part of a large-scale investigation into the incidents that occurred before and after the game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. The violence has been condemned as targeted antisemitic attacks by authorities in Israel and the Netherlands, with Israeli fans being accused of attacking local residents and chanting anti-Arab slogans. The suspects are Dutch residents aged between 18 and 37, with four still under interrogation and one released but remaining a suspect.
Additionally, tensions remain high in Amsterdam, with dozens of people setting a tram on fire on Monday night. The country’s prime minister, Dick Schoof, has called the attacks against Israelis and Jews shocking and reprehensible, promising to bring the perpetrators to justice. Israeli fans have been advised not to attend cultural or sports events abroad, and the upcoming match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Besiktas has been moved to a neutral venue in Hungary.
UEFA announced that the Israeli national soccer team’s match against France in Paris will go ahead as scheduled, despite the recent incidents. Police chief Peter Holla acknowledged that there were incidents on both sides during the game, including Maccabi fans attacking a taxi and burning a Palestinian flag prior to the match. Authorities are continuing to investigate the events leading up to and following the violent clashes in Amsterdam.
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