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They opposed the ban on protests, dozens of people arrested in Amsterdam

2024-11-11 08:24:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been arrested by police in Amsterdam after defying a ban on public protests in the Dutch capital.

Hundreds of people gathered in Dam Square on Sunday, calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza and expressing opposition to the ban.

Demonstrations were temporarily halted by the mayor after Israeli soccer fans were targeted in what she called "hit-and-run" attacks on Thursday night after a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam.

The Israeli government has advised its citizens to categorically avoid Israeli sporting and cultural events while abroad, particularly the soccer match between France and Israel in Paris on Thursday.

Authorities say Thursday's attacks, which left five people hospitalized, were motivated by anti-Semitism as fans were searched across the city.

The violence, which led to at least 62 arrests, was condemned by leaders in Europe, the US and Israel.

The protest was exacerbated by attacks that took place on the eve of the commemorations of Kristallnacht, the Nazi massacre of German Jews in 1938.

Three-quarters of the Jews in the Netherlands were killed during the Holocaust in World War II.

Amsterdam police said there had also been problems the night before the match. Police Chief Peter Holla said there had been incidents "on both sides", including Israeli supporters tearing a Palestinian flag from a wall and setting it on fire.

The city's mayor, Femke Halsema, announced a ban on public gatherings on Friday that lasts at least until the end of the weekend, deeming the city a "high-risk area."

But protesters on Sunday argued that they should be free to express their disapproval of Israel's actions in Gaza and the actions of Maccabi supporters.

"This protest has nothing to do with anti-Semitism," Alexander van Stokkum, one of the demonstrators, told the AFP news agency on Sunday. It is against the Israeli hooligans who were destroying our city".

Others told a Reuters reporter: "We refuse to allow the charge of anti-Semitism to be used to suppress the Palestinian resistance."

The news agency reported that more than 100 people were arrested for participating in the protest. Police in Amsterdam confirmed they had made arrests, but have yet to say how many.

After the protest was stopped, Dutch activist Frank van der Linde applied for an emergency permit so Sunday's demonstration could go ahead.

At X, he said he wanted to protest what he described as "genocide in Gaza," adding: "We will not allow our right to demonstrate to be taken away."/ CNA