Tensions flared in Amsterdam as Israeli football fans clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters during the Ajax vs. Maccabi Haifa match. The confrontation escalated into violence, leading to multiple arrests and injuries. Authorities are investigating the incident to prevent future occurrences. CGTN’s Iolo ap Dafydd reports.
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00:00The violence began before and after a Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
00:08Groups of young men mostly.
00:10Throughout the day thousands of Israeli fans had streamed into the city and gathered in Dam Square to sing and chant.
00:17What happened last night in Amsterdam and the images and the messages that we have heard from there are downright scandalous and irreprehensible.
00:26And I think that everything should be done to track down and prosecute the perpetrators.
00:31There were arrests in the city centre before the game started.
00:35With reports of clashes between Maccabi fans carrying Israeli flags and pro-Palestinian protesters angry at Israel's continuing war in Gaza.
00:44Visiting fans set off fireworks. Some made racist chants about Arabs.
00:49And there were reports on social media of Palestinian flags being torn down.
00:54Despite their presence Dutch police have been criticised.
00:58They came really late. They came too late.
01:00They came when a lot of people were already injured. Some of them probably got to a hospital.
01:07I don't know if they want to show information if they got to a hospital.
01:11The streets around Johan Cruyff Stadium were well policed.
01:14But Amsterdam's mayor Femke Halsema said perpetrators actively sought out Israeli football supporters to attack and abuse them.
01:22She said the violence was indefensible as riot police had to protect supporters and escort them to their hotels.
01:29Travellers heading into Europe from Israel said they have concerns.
01:33Especially after a year of war between Hamas and Israel.
01:37Despite dozens of Israeli hostages being detained there have been international condemnation of Israeli airstrikes.
01:43Killing and injuring tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza.
01:47Most of the time it's very safe and I felt very safe for a long time as I've lived there.
01:53And now going back maybe things have changed.
01:56But it could be that it was just one incident.
01:59The anti-Semitism that burst out in Amsterdam last night is unacceptable.
02:06And it should be taken care of in a very strong way.
02:11The European Union and the United Nations have expressed alarm and condemned the violence and apparent discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and nationality.
02:20Thursday night's violence follows another incident in Amsterdam last March.
02:24When Israeli and Palestinian supporters demonstrated against each other as the Netherlands opened the country's first Holocaust museum.
02:32Yoloab David, CDTN.