5 men jailed after Amsterdam-Israel soccer fan violence – National

An Amsterdam The Provincial Court imposed on Tuesday sentences of up to six months against five men who were involved in violence that erupted around a Uefa Europa League soccer match between Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.

The riots, which sparked 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 six months in prison, another to two and a half months, two to one month in prison and one to 100 hours of community work.

A series of violent incidents between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli soccer fans took place around the soccer match.

Some of the violence was condemned as anti-Semitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to evacuate Maccabi supporters. The violence, which grabbed headlines around the world, damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.

“The violence appears to have arisen from strong pro-Palestine sentiments and dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza, and related anger against the Israelis present,” prosecutors said in a statement at the end of the hearings two weeks ago.

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The five defendants, aged between 19 and 32, were accused of public violence, theft and assault.

The November 8 match was allowed to go ahead after the Netherlands’ anti-terror watchdog found there was no “concrete threat” to Israeli fans and the match was not considered a high risk. Even so, Amsterdam authorities banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Johan Cruyff Arena.

According to an investigation, the day before the match authorities reported several incidents, including Israeli fans tearing a Palestinian flag from a building in Amsterdam and attacking a taxi. In response, taxi drivers tried to mobilize online, focusing on a casino where about 400 Israeli fans had gathered. The police were mobilized to avoid a major confrontation.

Six other suspects will have their trials at a later date, including three minors. Under Dutch rules, juvenile proceedings 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

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