Dutch authorities have opened an investigation into allegations of police brutality following a banned pro-Palestinian protest in Amsterdam. The protest, which saw 281 demonstrators detained, took place on Wednesday evening, with several hundred protesters gathering on Dam Square despite the city’s ban due to safety concerns following recent violence linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Footage circulating on social media showed riot police allegedly using excessive force against protesters who had been arrested and were being transferred to buses. Police officers were seen shouting at the detainees and hitting them with batons, sparking public concern. The Dutch police’s Mobile Unit, responsible for crowd control, is currently under scrutiny for their actions during the incident.
The protest came in the wake of violent clashes involving Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam, with Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemning the attacks on Israeli fans as acts of “unadulterated anti-Semitism.” Tensions have escalated in Europe following the Israel-Hamas war, with an increase in both anti-Semitic and anti-Arab incidents, highlighting the deeply polarized atmosphere in the region.
Authorities are investigating the actions of the police officers in question, although specific details about the incident remain unclear.