Dutch police crack down on pro-Palestine protesters amid tensions
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Violent clashes break out in Amsterdam between Dutch police and pro-Palestine supporters, escalating into serious unrest.
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Dutch mobile Police officers stand guard after several scuffles broke out in Amsterdam following the UEFA Europa League, League phase - Matchday 4, football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, on November 8, 2024. (AFP)
Violent clashes erupted between Dutch police and pro-Palestine supporters in Amsterdam late Monday night into Tuesday, with a tram set on fire during the unrest.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that the Dutch government is being held responsible for the escalation, having banned a pro-Palestine demonstration and arrested several supporters while allowing Israeli demonstrators to stage protests, carry out provocations, and remove Palestinian flags.
مواجهات عنيفة بين الشرطة الهولندية ومناصرين للفلسطينيين في أمستردام وإحراق "حافلة ترام" في المدينة #الميادين #هولندا #فلسطين_المحتلة pic.twitter.com/ynpKMcqeJ2
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) November 11, 2024
Dutch magistrates denied an urgent request, on Sunday, for a pro-Palestine rally in Amsterdam, citing a ban imposed by the mayor following clashes between pro-Palestine supporters and Israelis in Amsterdam on Thursday after a match between Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam. The clashes resulted in the arrest of around 62 pro-Palestine protesters and the injury of 10 to 20 Israelis.
It is important to note that the events began when Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, several thousand strong and including IOF soldiers, provoked pro-Palestine residents and Arabs in Amsterdam.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent explained at the time that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans "chanted offensive slogans, claiming the Israeli army would deal with the Arabs," mocking the children of Gaza. They also removed dozens of Palestinian flags that Dutch citizens had displayed on their windows and balconies for months as a symbol of support for Palestine.
Pro-Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen resistance protests in Utrecht, Amsterdam
A solidarity demonstration in support of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples took place in the Dutch city of Utrecht on Sunday, rejecting the Israeli occupation's aggression against Gaza and Lebanon.
At the time, our correspondent reported that protests were ongoing in Dam Square despite police requests to leave the area. Police arrested a number of protesters and law enforcement is forcibly disbanding the protest.
In a similar context, a large police presence is being planned for Thursday's Nations League encounter between France and "Israel" at the Stade de France in Paris.
Paris police head Laurent Nunez labeled the event as high-risk, revealing that 4,000 gendarmes will be stationed outside the stadium, on public transportation, and around Paris.
