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An Amsterdam District Court on Tuesday five men who were involved in violence that erupted around a Uefa Europa League football match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.
The riots, which caused an international outcry and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks, left 5 people in hospital and 20 others with minor injuries. More than 60 suspects were arrested.
On Tuesday, the court sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months, two to 1 month in prison and one to 100 hours of work.
A series of violent incidents took place between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli soccer fans around the soccer match.
Some of the violence was condemned as anti-Semitic, with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to evacuate Maccabi supporters. The violence, which made headlines worldwide, damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.
“It appears that the violence arose from strong pro-Palestinian feelings and dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza, and related anger against the Israelis present,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement at the conclusion of hearings two weeks ago .
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The five suspects, aged between 19 and 32, were charged with public violence, theft and assault.
The November 8 match was allowed to go ahead after the Dutch counter-terror watchdog found there was no “concrete threat” to Israeli fans, and the match was not considered high risk. Nevertheless, the Amsterdam authorities banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Johan Cruyff Arena.
According to an investigation, the day before the match, the authorities reported several incidents, including Israeli fans tearing a Palestinian from a building in Amsterdam and attacking a taxi. In response, taxi drivers sought to mobilize online, centered on a casino where some 400 Israeli fans were gathered. The police were mobilized to prevent a major confrontation.
Six more suspects will have their trials at a later date, including three minors. According to the Dutch rules, proceedings for young people are held behind closed doors. Police are continuing to investigate the violence and have released images of several suspects they hope to identify.
–Casert reported from Brussels
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
