Last night, the capital was thrown into chaos as a group of several dozen rioters shouted anti-semitic hate speech, pelted vehicles and threw heavy fireworks — setting a tram on fire.
Riot police were deployed after riots broke out in Plein ‘40-’45 in Amsterdam West around 19:15, which lasted until around 22:15.
Three arrests were made, and police claim more may follow as they monitor the situation. Many of the rioters appeared to be “young people on scooters”, an eyewitness shares with AT5.
Fire, hate speech and violence
In addition to setting a tram on fire after recklessly hurling fireworks, the rioters pelted cars, buses and policemen.
Luckily, nobody was in the tram, and the fire was quickly extinguished. NOS reports one person was treated for mild injury on the spot.
Throughout the incident, the rioters shouted anti-semitic insults, which is confirmed through eyewitnesses and video footage.
Cyclist pulled from bike and attacked
In what appears to be a random act of violence, footage also captured an attack on a young cyclist.
Het Parool reports that a cyclist was pulled off his bike by a few of the boys and beaten up for no apparent reason.
Speaking with Het Parool, the boy thanked police for stopping the attack, “People are agitated. The police saved me.”
In a video — that has since been deleted — the footage shows the cyclist being pulled off his bike, while police run towards the scene.
As the atmosphere remains tense in the area, police have asked people to stay away from Plein ‘40-’45.
Tensions rising in the city of Amsterdam
Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema has implemented emergency measures to prevent the further escalation of violence, including a ban on demonstrations in the city.
This decision was made following the chaos that erupted in the city before, during, and after the Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv football match last Thursday.
Maccabi supporters burned a Palestinian flag, chanted anti-Palestinian slang and vandalised a taxi. There were also attacks on Israelis in several places in the city the following night.
Yesterday, a pro-Palestinian demonstration took place on Dam Square, where more than fifty people were arrested due to the current demonstration ban.
READ MORE | Amsterdam’s pro-Palestine protests: in videos
NOS reports that more than 340 people were detained, taken from the location of the protest and dropped elsewhere.
Want the latest Dutch New to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮