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Rabat — Four men have been jailed following violent clashes with Israeli hooligans in Amsterdam last month after a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 8.
Sefa Ö, 32, received six months in prison for his role in several attacks. Video evidence showed him kicking a hooligan, who then fell against a moving tram, as well as chasing and hitting others. Prosecutors described him as playing a “leading role” in the violence.
Umutcan A, 24, was jailed for one month. CCTV captured him kicking fans and grabbing a Maccabi supporter by the throat. He was also seen taking part in group assaults. Umutcan denied harbouring hatred towards Jews even though he had written about a “Jew hunt” in online messages.
Rachid O, 26, received a 10-week sentence for inciting violence in a WhatsApp group called “Buurthuis2,” which had over 900 members. He referred to Maccabi supporters as “cowardly Jews” in messages. The court found that the group was used to organize attacks.
Lucas D, 19, was jailed for one month for attacking a police officer and possessing a dangerous firework at the time of his arrest. He had also participated in a Snapchat group that encouraged violence.
The court said that the attacks were influenced by the Gaza conflict but were not acts of terrorism. “There’s no justification for this violence,” the judge said.
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The riots began after Israeli hooligans burned a Palestinian flag, vandalized a taxi, and chanted anti-Arab slogans. Witnesses claimed the Israelis instigated the violence, but the court condemned all acts of physical aggression.
At an emotionally charged news conference the morning after the riots, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said the city had been “deeply damaged” by “hateful anti-Semitic rioters.”
However, Halsema later said she regretted the parallel she had drawn between the violence and “memories of pogroms,” saying this word had been used as propaganda
More suspects are due to face trial, including three minors whose cases will be heard behind closed doors.
Many are expected to appeal their convictions.
