January 2 – Four men have been given jail sentences by an Amsterdam district court for violence around a Europa League match between Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel-Aviv in November.
The rioting, which caused an international outcry, left five people in hospital and 20 others with minor injuries. More than 60 people were detained.
The court sentenced one man to six months in prison, another to two-and-a-half months and two to one month in jail. A fifth defendant received 100 hours of community service.
A series of violent incidents took place between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans around the match. Some of the violence was condemned as antisemitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to evacuate Maccabi supporters.
The violence damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.
The five defendants, who are all Dutch residents and aged between 19 and 32, were accused of public violence, theft and assault.
“It seems that the violence arose from strong pro-Palestine sentiments and dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza, and related anger against the Israelis present,” the prosecutors’ office said in a statement at the conclusion of hearings.
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