Pro-Palestinian activists arrested during protest in Amsterdam

Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists were detained this Sunday (10) during a prohibited demonstration in Dam Square, in Amsterdam, where a strong police operation is still deployed following anti-Semitic attacks against Israeli fans, according to Dutch public television broadcaster NOS.

After the arrests, the local newspaper Het Parool estimated at around 100, the Amsterdam authorities decided to extend the ban on demonstrations until next Thursday (14).

This Sunday’s event, scheduled for 2pm, was prohibited by an emergency ordinance that extends throughout the capital.

One of the activists, Frank van der Linde, appealed to the courts against the ban, but in the early afternoon a judge declared that the emergency decree would remain in force and that the demonstration could not take place. Despite this, dozens of people headed to Dam Square and authorities ordered protesters to leave the area.

A large police presence was also reported around the square with more than a dozen police vans and riot control officers. The prisoners were later taken to a sports park, according to the press.

With the extension of the ban, the police will be able to carry out preventive searches and there will be more police officers deployed in different parts of the city.

The security measures were determined after fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv were attacked last Thursday after watching the Europa League game against Dutch club Ajax.

Dutch police announced the morning after the game that they had made 62 arrests in connection with these disturbances.