The Amsterdam District Court on Tuesday handed down sentences of up to six months to five men involved in the violence that broke out during a UEFA Europa League football match between Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.
The riots, which sparked international outcry and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks, left five people in hospital and 20 others with minor injuries. More than 60 suspects have been arrested.
On Tuesday, the court sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months, two to one month in prison and one to 100 hours of community service.
A series of violent incidents occurred between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli soccer fans during a soccer match.
Some of the violence was condemned as anti-Semitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu determined to expel Maccabi supporters. The violence, which grabbed headlines around the world, damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.
“It appears that the violence arose out of strong pro-Palestinian feelings and dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza, as well as anger related to the Israelis there,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement at the end of the hearing two weeks ago.
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Five defendants, aged between 19 and 32, are accused of public violence, theft and assault.
The November 8 match was allowed to go ahead after the Netherlands’ counter-terror watchdog found there was no “strong threat” to Israeli fans, and the match was not considered a serious risk. Nevertheless, Amsterdam authorities shut down the pro-Palestinian protest outside the Johan Cruyff Arena.
According to the investigation, the day before the match the authorities reported several incidents, including Israeli supporters tearing a Palestinian from a building in Amsterdam and attacking a taxi. In response, the taxi drivers wanted to meet online, focusing on the casino where 400 Israeli fans had gathered. The police have been mobilized to avoid a major conflict.
Six other suspects will be tried later, including three children. Under Dutch law, juvenile proceedings are held behind closed doors. Police are continuing to investigate this violence and have released photos of several suspects they hope to identify.
–Casert reported from Brussels
© 2024 The Canadian Press
