Dutch Prime Minister denounces 'pure and simple anti-Semitic violence'

Photo: Remko de Waal ANP/Agence France-Presse “There is a big big difference between destroying things and driving out Jews,” said Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Agence France-Presse in The Hague

Published yesterday at 1:00 p.m.

• Europe

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Monday called the attacks on Israeli fans in Amsterdam last week during a match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv “pure and simple anti-Semitic violence.”

“Four days after the attacks, the shock, shame and anger continue. This was pure anti-Semitic violence. Strong action is needed” against the perpetrators, Schoof said at a press conference, before adding that “intolerance cannot be treated with tolerance.”

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About 20 to 30 Maccabi fans were injured on the night of Thursday to Friday after being attacked by groups of individuals who, according to Dutch police, had responded to a call to target Jews on social media.

“I also know that there are images of the behavior of Maccabi fans. This too is being investigated and it is important that all the facts come to light,” Schoof said.

Maccabi supporters burned a Palestinian flag on the central Dam Square and vandalized a taxi, Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla said Friday.

“But there is a big, big difference between destroying things and driving out Jews,” the Dutch prime minister said.

The clashes occurred in a context of increasing anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli acts since the start of the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas a little over a year ago in the Gaza Strip.

The Dutch police in charge of the investigation are interested in the images from surveillance cameras, as well as those filmed by witnesses.

They are examining the attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, but also the behavior of the latter, assured Dutch media.

The match took place on Thursday in a generally calm atmosphere, even if some Israeli supporters did not respect the minute of silence in memory of the victims of the floods in Spain, a country which recently recognized the State of Palestine.

In a video posted on social media, the origin of which could not be verified, what appear to be Maccabi fans chanted anti-Palestinian chants in Hebrew.

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