(CLO) Dutch police said they arrested more than 300 pro-Palestinian protesters who ignored a ban on demonstrations in Amsterdam on Sunday, and another 50 following clashes involving Israeli football fans last week.
Hundreds of protesters gathered and chanted slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine" and "Amsterdam says no to genocide" in protest against the Gaza war.
Police disperse protesters from Dam Square during a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Photo: Shutterstock
Following the local court's ruling banning the city government's protest, Amsterdam police arrived, ordering protesters to disperse and arresting more than 100 people on the spot.
According to police, 340 people were transported from the protest area by bus and dropped off in the city's suburbs. In addition, 50 others were detained, and one person required emergency medical attention due to bleeding.
The ban was extended for another four days until Thursday, following attacks on Israeli fans during Ajax Amsterdam's Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. At least five people were injured in the attacks, which Dutch authorities and foreign leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned as anti-Semitic.
Israel has also advised its citizens to avoid attending international cultural and sporting events next week, amid intelligence reports that some pro-Palestinian groups in countries such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium may threaten Israelis.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would attend the match between France and Israel at the Stade de France on Thursday to reaffirm "solidarity" following the events in Amsterdam.
Protest organizers in the Netherlands took to Instagram, expressing outrage at the portrayal of unrest surrounding the match as anti-Semitic, and calling the ban on demonstrations harsh. “We do not accept the use of anti-Semitic accusations to suppress the Palestinian struggle,” they wrote.
Currently, four people remain in custody due to violent acts, including two minors. Additionally, 40 people were fined for disturbing public order, and 10 were penalized for offenses such as property damage.
Police said there were numerous acts of violence against Israeli fans on Thursday night, and video footage showed Israeli supporters burning Palestinian flags and using sticks, iron pipes, and stones to fight with their opponents. Dutch police also announced they would further investigate footage showing Maccabi supporters engaging in violence, although it was not yet clear which footage would be reviewed.
Olivier Dutilh, the local police chief, insisted the ban was still necessary given the ongoing anti-Semitic incidents, including people being forcibly removed from taxis and asked to show their passports on Saturday night.
Since the Gaza conflict erupted last October, the Netherlands has witnessed an increase in anti-Semitic incidents.
Hong Hanh (according to Reuters, Daily Mail)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/canh-sat-ha-lan-bat-hang-tram-nguoi-bieu-tinh-cac-nhom-ung-ho-palestine-khong-hai-long-post320830.html
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