The Fight for Palestine in Amsterdam: Behind the Arrests of 100 Protesters Defying Ban

 

In Amsterdam’s Dam Square on Sunday, over 100 pro-Palestine demonstrators were arrested after gathering in defiance of a protest ban. The ban, upheld by the Amsterdam District Court, was imposed by the mayor following violent incidents between Israeli football fans and local residents. Despite the legal prohibition, protesters rallied to voice their support for Palestinian rights and called for an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The protest ban was an unprecedented move for Amsterdam, a city with a longstanding reputation for supporting free speech. However, recent events, including clashes and flag burnings by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, led city authorities to prioritize public safety. Demonstrators, chanting “Free Palestine,” were confronted by police in riot gear, a scene that took many by surprise. Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen reported that tourists wearing keffiyehs were questioned by police, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the protest.

The decision to ban protests followed a Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Before and after the match, Maccabi fans reportedly burned Palestinian flags and vandalized property in central Amsterdam, provoking confrontations with local youths. The incidents, including what the mayor described as “anti-Semitic hit-and-run squads,” left at least five people injured and resulted in dozens of arrests.

The protesters argued that their support for Palestine should not be conflated with anti-Semitism, expressing concern that such associations were being used to delegitimize their cause. Many held signs reading, “We can fight anti-Semitism and genocidal Zionism at the same time,” calling for greater understanding from city officials. For many, their opposition to Israel’s actions is rooted in a desire for justice and human rights, rather than hostility toward Jewish communities.