Settler violence in Europe
Amsterdam clashes started by Israeli ‘hooligans’: City councilman
Israeli football fans instigated the violence in Amsterdam after arriving in the city and attacking Palestinian supporters before the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, an Amsterdam city council member said.
“They began attacking houses of people in Amsterdam with Palestinian flags, so that’s actually where the violence started,” Councilman Jazie Veldhuyzen told Al Jazeera. “As a reaction, Amsterdammers mobilized themselves and countered the attacks that started on Wednesday by the Maccabi hooligans.”
He said a video emerged of Amsterdam police driving by and “doing nothing” as Israeli fans tore down Palestinian flags at one residence in the city center.
“The mayor says the police did act, but I would say they acted not at the right moments. They acted only to protect the Maccabi hooligans when Amsterdammers stood up to defend their own people and defend their own houses. And this is when the police showed up to protect the Maccabi fans when they ran away after attacking people.”
Reports also said the Israeli fans clashed with bystanders, vandalized property, and set a Palestinian flag on fire.
Social media videos showed Maccabi fans not only damaging private property but also assaulting a local taxi driver and confronting law enforcement officers. A video also shows Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans in the streets before the game, according to AP.
Dutch authorities said Friday at least five people were wounded in the clashes. Dozens were also arrested.
Israel initially ordered two planes be sent to bring fans home, but later the Israeli prime minister’s office said it would work to help citizens arrange commercial flights.
Security concerns have shrouded matches with Israeli teams in multiple countries over the past year because of global tensions linked to Israel’s genocidal wars on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon since last year. Ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, Amsterdam authorities had banned a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration near the stadium.