Amsterdam’s police chief, Pieter Holla, confirmed that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters engaged in violent acts, including removing a Palestinian flag from a building, attacking a taxi, and burning a Palestinian flag in a public square. His comments came following a night of disturbances involving clashes between Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and pro-Palestinian supporters.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema responded to the clashes by announcing increased security measures across the city. She expressed her dismay at the confrontations, which sparked widespread condemnation from both Israeli and international officials, and noted that a temporary ban on protests had been imposed.
Investigation and Arrests
Dutch Prosecutor René de Beukelaer reported the establishment of a special investigative team, with publicized images of suspects to assist in their swift identification and arrest. Authorities detained 62 people during the clashes, with 10 held on charges related to “public acts of violence,” including two individuals under 18. Others detained have been released after being questioned for alleged insults and use of fireworks. Amsterdam police confirmed that five people were injured.
Post-Match Tensions
Following Thursday’s game between Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Dutch team Ajax—which ended with a decisive 5-0 win for Ajax—tensions flared. Maccabi Tel Aviv fans reportedly chanted racially charged and offensive slogans targeting Palestinians and Arabs. These provocations, including the destruction of Palestinian symbols, sparked widespread unrest in Amsterdam.
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Channel 12 reported that Maccabi fans tore down a Palestinian flag from a building and harassed Arab-Dutch taxi drivers, provoking outrage from the local community. Video footage circulating on social media shows large groups of Maccabi supporters chanting anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian slogans.
Disrespect During the Pre-Match Observance
Before the game began, additional videos showed Maccabi Tel Aviv fans refusing to observe a minute of silence honoring victims of recent floods in Valencia, Spain. Instead, the fans ignited fireworks, ignoring the solemn observance observed by the rest of the stadium. Activists interpreted this act as a protest against Spain’s recognition of Palestine and its condemnation of ongoing violence in Gaza, as well as its stance against arms trade with Israel.
