Attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were motivated by Gaza war, prosecutors say

Five men appear in Amsterdam court accused of orchestrating violence on Israeli supporters last month

Police officers make a security cordon around a bus after the soccer match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, in Amsterdam. EPA

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Attacks on Israeli football fans were not anti-Semitic but were motivated by anger against Israel and its conduct in the Gaza war, prosecutors in the Netherlands have said as they called for the perpetrators to be jailed.

Dozens of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were attacked in Amsterdam during a night of violence earlier this month that sparked worldwide shock and accusations of hatred against Jews.

A 22-year-old identified as Sefa O was one of five suspects before an Amsterdam court on charges relating to violence in the city centre on November 7 as Ajax played Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League game.

“In this case, there was no evidence of … a terrorist intent and the violence was not motivated by anti-Semitic sentiment”, prosecutors said, according to a report by AFP. “The violence was influenced by the situation in Gaza, not by anti-Semitism.”

The attacks came after two days of skirmishes that also saw Maccabi fans chant anti-Arab songs, vandalise a taxi and burn a Palestinian flag.

Demonstrators with Palestinian flags run through the streets of Amsterdam ahead of the Uefa Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. EPA

Police said they were investigating at least 45 people in connection with the violence, which saw five Maccabi fans taken to hospital. The court saw images of a man alleged to be O kicking a person on the ground, chasing and punching people in the head and the body.

O played a “leading role” in the violence which “had little to do with football”, the prosecutor alleged. In court, the defendant said he “very much regretted his presence” at the violence and that he wanted “to start a new life” with his family.

“My wife is pregnant. For my family and my parents, I have decided from now on only to hang around with good people,” said O, who handed himself to police and has since been in detention.

Prosecutors called for a second suspect, named Lucas D, to receive a jail sentence of six months for throwing stones at police and illegal possession of fireworks. He also stands accused of being part of a Snapchat group in which violence was incited against Israeli fans.

The five men, aged 19 to 32, are facing a three-judge bench at the Amsterdam District Court in staggered appearances. Two more suspects are to appear on Thursday. All seven have been charged with public violence.

Clashes erupt between Israeli football fans and protesters in Amsterdam

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A further six suspects are set to appear at a later stage. Three of these suspects are minors and their cases will be heard behind closed doors.

“Charges have also been laid against Maccabi fans, who displayed provocative behaviour before the game,” the Dutch Public Prosecution Service said.

The incident and its aftermath shocked residents in the Dutch capital and sparked a debate over polarisation between its various communities.

At the time, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said the city had been “deeply damaged” by “hateful anti-Semitic rioters” after a night of “unbearable” violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the violence at the time as a “premeditated anti-Semitic attack.” The court is expected to deliver its verdict on December 24.