one Amsterdam On Tuesday, the district court sentenced five people involved in the violence to six months in prison The UEFA Europa League erupted around the soccer match between Dutch club Ajax and Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.
The riots, which led to international outrage and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks, left 5 people in hospital and 20 others with minor injuries. More than 60 suspects were detained.
The court on Tuesday sentenced one person to 6 months in prison, another to 2/2 months, two to 1 month in prison and one to 100 hours of community service.
A series of violent incidents broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli football fans around the football match.
Some of the violence was condemned as anti-Semitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to expel Maccabi supporters. The violence, which grabbed headlines around the world, damaged Amsterdam's reputation as a symbol of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.
The prosecutor's office said in a statement at the end of the hearings two weeks ago that the violence appeared to be fueled by strong pro-Palestinian sentiment and dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza and anger against the Israelis there.
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All five defendants, aged between 19 and 32, were charged with public violence, theft and assault.
The November 8 game was allowed to go ahead after the Netherlands' counter-terrorism watchdog found there was no “substantial threat” to Israeli fans, and the match was not considered high risk. Despite this, Amsterdam authorities banned the pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Johan Cruyff Arena.
According to an investigation, the day before the game, authorities reported several incidents, including Israeli fans hurling a Palestinian from an Amsterdam building and attacking a taxi. In response, taxi drivers tried to mobilize online, centered on a casino where about 400 Israeli fans had gathered. Police were mobilized to avoid a major clash.
Another six suspects, including three minors, will go on trial at a later date. Under Dutch law, proceedings for minors take place behind closed doors. Police are continuing to investigate the violence and have released images of several suspects they can identify.
–Cassert reported from Brussels.
and copy 2024 Canadian Press