Police Detain Protesters in Amsterdam as Violence Erupts

Dutch police detained a group of anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protesters in central Amsterdam on Wednesday, defying a protest ban imposed following violent clashes last week. The demonstrators, some waving Palestinian flags, gathered to chant slogans such as “Amsterdam is saying no to genocide” and “Free Palestine.” Riot police quickly encircled the group, leading to their detention and removal by bus.

The unrest comes after violent attacks targeting Israeli soccer fans last Thursday. Gangs of masked assailants hunted and attacked Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters before and after the soccer match against Ajax Amsterdam. Several victims were injured, and hundreds of Israelis were forced to flee the city under special protection.

In response to the violence, the Dutch government implemented emergency stop-and-search measures, detaining hundreds of demonstrators in the days since. While tensions in the city remain high, protesters like Max van den Berg, 32, are calling for an end to Dutch support for Israel, citing concerns over civilian deaths in Gaza.

The ongoing violence in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, has contributed to an uptick in antisemitic incidents across Europe. Police have struggled to control the situation, particularly in Amsterdam’s immigrant neighborhoods, where many residents express solidarity with Palestinians.

In a related development, protests erupted in Paris on Wednesday against a gala organized by far-right French-Israeli figures in support of Israel, intended to raise funds for the Israeli military. The event, dubbed “Israel is Forever,” had invited Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a staunch advocate of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but he ultimately canceled his trip to Paris in response to growing criticism.

The protests, which drew hundreds of demonstrators, came just a day before a high-profile soccer match between the Israeli and French national teams at France’s national stadium. The atmosphere surrounding both the gala and the match was charged with tensions over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

While the protests were largely peaceful, some demonstrators vandalized a McDonald’s along the route, and other protesters gathered near the Arc de Triomphe to chant slogans against Smotrich and the event. The French Foreign Ministry condemned Smotrich's statements as "contrary to international law" and unhelpful in efforts to ease regional tensions.

Authorities in Paris were on high alert, with over 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff deployed for Thursday’s match to prevent a repeat of the unrest seen in the Netherlands. Only French and Israeli flags will be allowed inside the stadium, and a heavy security presence is planned both outside and inside the venue.

French police chief Laurent Nunez emphasized that despite the heightened security, the gala itself posed "no major threat to public order." Nevertheless, the growing public divide over Israel’s actions in Gaza has raised concerns about further unrest, particularly in a city with Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations.

Meanwhile, Israel's head coach, Ran Ben Shimon, expressed hopes of keeping the focus on the sport during the match. "The context is difficult, but we remain focused on the game," he said, amid the broader political and social tensions.

In the lead-up to the match, some Israeli supporters expressed concern about attending, citing the violence in Amsterdam. However, others remained resolute, reassured by the extensive security measures put in place.