Police hunt down and arrest five more rioters after ‘antisemitic attack’ on Israeli football fans as pro-Palestine protests take over Amsterdam

Police in the Netherlands have made five new arrests over the violence that ensued after Ajax’s game with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday evening.

Five people were taken to hospital after people on scooters carried out “hit-and-run” attacks on Israeli fans after the match.

The men are suspected of “public violence against persons” before and after the Europa League game.

These arrests add onto the 63 announced by authorities since the attacks, including two minors. One of the five has been released from custody but is still a suspect.

Demonstrations in the city have been banned until Thursday, an action that has not stopped pro-Palestinian activists from taking to the streets, with rioters last night setting fire to transport vehicles while reportedly shouting “Free Palestine”.

This comes after Prime Minister Dick Schoof said earlier yesterday that “antisemitic attacks against Israelis and Jews” were “nothing short of shocking and reprehensible”.

Commenting on reports that Maccabi fans had burnt a Palestinian flag and chanted anti-Arab slogans, Schoof said: “We are well aware of what happened earlier with Maccabi supporters but we think that’s of a different category and we condemn any violence as well, but that is no excuse whatsoever for what happened later on that night in the attacks on Jews in Amsterdam.”

The ban on protests has caused visible unrest in the city, with activists arguing they should be free to protest Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Police detained dozens of protesters who ignored the ban on Sunday at a pro-Palestinian rally in the capital’s Dam Square.

Activists were heard chanting slogans such as “Amsterdam says no to genocide” and “Free Palestine”.

Protest organisers called the ban outrageous through a message on their Instagram account.

“We refuse to let the charge of antisemitism be weaponised to suppress Palestinian resistance,” they said.

Meanwhile, local police chief Olivier Dutilh said that the protest ban was a necessary action due to antisemitic incidents continuing in the city, including people being told to show their passports and being pushed out of taxis.

At the same time, Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla said there had been incidents “on both sides” after the match.

Police said on Sunday they will also investigate footage showing violence from Maccabi fans.