Protesters take part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Dam Square in Amsterdam on November 10. The protest comes while an emergency ordinance and a ban on demonstrations are in place in the city. Photo by Robin van Lonkhuijsen / ANP / AFP) / The Netherlands OUT via Getty Images

Of Louis Keene
November 11, 2024

Anti-Israel protesters started a fire inside an Amsterdam tram on Monday and riot police were called in to disperse them, days after Israeli soccer fans were attacked in the Dutch capital in what some described as an anti-Semitic pogrom.

The video circulating on social media looked revolting throwing sticks and debris and throwing stones at a stopped tram car. The protesters appear to shout “Free Palestine” and “Kanker Joden”. (cancer jews),” he slurs, according to videos from the scene. At one point, there is smoke in the tram and then a the firework seems to explode inside the car, starting a fire.

There are riots in Amsterdam again.

The fans in Israel have left, but the “Free Palestine” movement doesn’t care. They are just busy doing what they know how to do – break, burn, destroy and organize pogroms. Today they set fire to a tram. pic.twitter.com/EH8rBXhZY7

— Olia (@OliaOnX) November 11, 2024

Dutch police said it was unclear what prompted the violence or who started it. Dutch media said no injuries were reported in the fire.

Last week, the authorities in Amsterdam declared a state of emergency – during which all protests are banned – after locals attacked Israelis who were in the city for a soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, a major Dutch club. At least 10 Israelis reported injuries and five were hospitalized in the targeted beatings, many of which were recorded and posted on social media by the attackers. Dutch police arrested at least 60 people last week, too five more were arrested months in connection with the attacks; eight are currently detained.

More than 50 people were detained on Sunday for attempting to participate in a banned demonstration in which protesters chanted “Free Palestine”.

Tensions had been high in the city before the attacks. Pro-Palestinian groups scheduled a series of protests related to the match and spray-painted anti-Israel slogans around the city; before the game, Maccabi fans tore down Palestinian flags around the city and shouted anti-Arab chants.