As Amsterdam riots rage on, a tram is set on fire.
The ongoing tension in Amsterdam persists after the recent assault on Israeli soccer supporters.
On Monday, dozens of people armed with sticks and firecrackers set a tram on fire in Amsterdam, police said, amid tensions following violence last week targeting fans of an Israeli soccer club.
The fire was promptly put out and the square was cleared by riot police, as seen in images online where people were shown destroying property and setting off fireworks.
The unrest that occurred after the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax match was not clearly linked to the events of last week, according to police. However, the tense atmosphere was evident due to the treatment of five people in the hospital and the detention of dozens on Thursday. The youths involved in the violence were on scooters and on foot, and they targeted Israeli fans, punching and kicking them before fleeing to avoid capture, as stated by Amsterdam's mayor.
On Monday, the Dutch police made five new arrests in their investigation into the earlier violence. The suspects are all men between the ages of 18 and 37 and are from Amsterdam or nearby cities. Four of the suspects are still in custody, while the fifth has been released but remains under investigation.
Last week, four men were arrested and two of them are minors, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old from Amsterdam, while the other two are from Amsterdam and a nearby city. The police stated that they will remain in custody as the investigation continues.
The police have identified over 170 witnesses and taken forensics evidence from dozens. Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated that they were also examining videos posted to social media.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, there has been a rise in reports of antisemitic speech, vandalism, and violence in Europe, and tensions have escalated in Amsterdam before Thursday night's match.
Local authorities prohibited pro-Palestinian demonstrators from assembling outside the stadium. Prior to the game, Maccabi supporters in Amsterdam removed a Palestinian flag from a building and shouted anti-Arab slogans while en route to the stadium. Additionally, there were reports of Maccabi fans engaging in physical altercations.
On Sunday, dozens of individuals were detained in central Amsterdam for participating in a prohibited pro-Palestinian demonstration. The mayor had banned all demonstrations in the city and designated certain areas as risk zones where police could stop and check anyone.
Gideon Saar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, quickly traveled to the Netherlands on Friday and pledged Israel's assistance in the police investigation. On Saturday, he met with the Dutch prime minister and stated in a press release that the attacks and passport checks were reminiscent of dark periods in history.
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