Dutch far-right firebrand Geert Wilders condemned the latest wave of anti-Semitism to hit Amsterdam, after thugs chanting “cancer Jews” violently rampaged through the city, culminating in the burning of a tram.
Video footage from the tram, near the ’40-’45 square in western Amsterdam, taken on Monday night, showed a firework igniting inside before exploding, causing a large fire inside and breaking a window.
Rioters could be heard cheering as fireworks exploded. Local media reported that they were heard shouting “cancer Jews” chants.
Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), went to X to warn: “After the hunt for Jews, the Intifada.”
Five people, all Dutch and aged between 18 and 37, were arrested following the latest outbreak of violence, bringing the total number of people arrested since Thursday to 68.
Screaming thugs set tram on fire with fireworks
Dutch police detain man after riots in Amsterdam as violence continues in city
Tram windows in Amsterdam were smashed during violence, police say it is unclear who started the fire
Geert Wilders (pictured) addressed X to warn: “After the hunt for Jews, the Intifada.”
The tram inferno comes after days of violence against fans of an Israeli soccer team during what was called a “Jew hunt.”
Police in the city said there had been a tense atmosphere after five people were taken to hospital on Thursday following an Ajax match against Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, where dozens of people were detained.
Youths on scooters and on foot went in search of Israeli fanatics, beating and kicking them and then fleeing to evade police, according to Amsterdam’s mayor.
Police said four other men who had been arrested last week would remain in custody as the investigation continues.
Two of those men are minors, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old from Amsterdam.
Fireworks were set off last night on an Amsterdam tram.
The fireworks caused a fire inside the vehicle.
A window was shattered by the force of the fire
The fire was reportedly extinguished quickly after it started.
The other two men are from Amsterdam and a nearby city.
Police said they have identified more than 170 witnesses and taken forensic evidence from dozens.
Premier Dick Schoof said they were also examining videos posted on social media.
Following last night’s outbreak of violence he said: ‘The images and reports from Amsterdam and what we have seen this weekend of anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis and Jews are nothing short of shocking and reprehensible.
Schoof also condemned Maccabi supporters who attacked a taxi and burned the Palestinian flag in Amsterdam, in addition to chanting anti-Arab slogans.
“We are very aware of what happened earlier with the Maccabi supporters, but we think it is of a different category and we also condemn any violence, but that is no excuse for what happened later that night in the attacks on the Jews in Amsterdam.”
Reports of anti-Semitic speech, vandalism and violence have been increasing in Europe since the start of the war in Gaza, and tensions rose in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday night’s game.
Local authorities prohibited pro-Palestinian protesters from gathering outside the stadium.
Amsterdam tram damaged after people armed with sticks and firecrackers set it on fire
Police officers patrol in riot gear on the streets of Amsterdam following more violence.
A man stands next to the tram, whose windows have been smashed during the riots.
Riot police as Amsterdam’s mayor banned all demonstrations in the city on Monday.
Before the match, Maccabi fans also tore down a Palestinian flag from a building in Amsterdam and chanted anti-Arab slogans on the way to the stadium.
There were also reports of Maccabi fans starting fights.
The mayor banned all demonstrations in the city and declared several parts of Amsterdam “risk zones” where police can stop and control anyone.
Dozens of people were arrested on Sunday for participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been outlawed.
Newly appointed Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rushed to the Netherlands on Friday and offered Israel’s help in the police investigation.
He met with the Dutch prime minister on Saturday and said in a statement that the attacks and demands to show passports were “reminiscent of dark periods in history.”
Saar told reporters in Jerusalem on Monday that Israel considered the number of arrests over the clashes in Amsterdam last week to be “very low.”
Protesters run with Palestinian flags before the UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Anton de Komplein in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 7, 2024.
Hours before the match, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans held a pro-Israel demonstration in the city’s Dam Square.
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans organize pro-Israel demonstration in Dam Square
“The mayor of Amsterdam informed me that a special investigation team had been formed, but I can say that so far the number of arrests is very low,” Saar said.
The Dutch city’s police chief said there had been “incidents on both sides” on Wednesday, 24 hours before the match.
“A Palestinian flag was set on fire at the dam,” he added, referring to Amsterdam’s central square.
In scenes showing the tensions, an unverified video on social media allegedly filmed on Thursday appeared to show some Maccabi fans chanting in Hebrew: ‘May the IDF (army) win!’ We’ll screw the Arabs!’
The Amsterdam scenes were enough to strike fear into other European nations.
Paris police said Sunday that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a soccer match between France and Israel to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation.
France and Israel will play a UEFA Nations League match on Thursday that will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Elysee presidential palace said.
Israel’s National Security Council, in a statement on Sunday, warned citizens abroad to avoid sporting and cultural events, specifically the match in Paris, and to be wary of violent attacks “under the guise of demonstrations.” .
