A Amsterdam The district court on Tuesday imposed sentences of up to six months on five men who were involved in violent acts broke out around a UEFA Europa League soccer match between Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.
Five people remained hospitalized and 20 others sustained minor injuries in the riots, which sparked international outrage and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks. More than 60 suspects were arrested.
The court on Tuesday 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 community service.
There were a number of violent incidents surrounding the football match between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli football fans.
Some of the violence was condemned as anti-Semitic, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered to evacuate Maccabi supporters. The violence, which made headlines around the world, damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a refuge for persecuted religions, including Jews.
“It appears that the violence arose from strong pro-Palestine sentiments and dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza and the associated anger against the Israelis present,” prosecutors said in a statement at the conclusion of the hearings two weeks ago.
Get national news daily
Receive the most important news as well as headlines from politics, business and current affairs in your inbox once a day.
The five defendants, aged between 19 and 32, were accused of public violence, theft and bodily harm.
The November 8 game was allowed to go ahead after the Dutch anti-terrorism watchdog determined there was no “concrete threat” to Israeli fans and the game was not deemed high risk. Nevertheless, the Amsterdam authorities banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of the Johan Cruyff Arena.
According to an investigation, authorities reported several incidents the day before the game, including Israeli fans dragging a Palestinian from an Amsterdam building and attacking a taxi. In response, taxi drivers attempted to mobilize online, focusing on a casino where around 400 Israeli fans had gathered. Police were mobilized to prevent a major confrontation.
Six other suspects, including three minors, will be arraigned in court at a later date. Under Dutch law, proceedings against juveniles take place behind closed doors. Police continue to investigate the violence and have released images of several suspects they want to identify.
—Casert reported from Brussels
&Copy 2024 The Canadian Press
