According to the prosecutor, in the case of the man who took the main role in the violence, the actions were influenced by the situation in the Gaza Strip and not by anti-Semitism.
Seven men are to be sentenced today in the Netherlands for violent crimes against Israeli soccer fans. The prosecutor has applied for a two-year prison sentence for the man who is suspected of taking the main role in the violence.
Violence broke out in Amsterdam in November when the Dutch Ajax and the Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv met in connection with a Europa League football match. The clashes started even before the match and ended in the evening and night after the match.
Five Israelis received injuries that required hospital treatment. According to a report published by the Dutch authorities, the police arrested a total of more than 60 people in connection with the violence.
Accusations of anti-Semitism
Several parties, especially Israeli and Dutch politicians, have accused the violence of being anti-Semitic. According to the prosecutor, in the case of the man who took the main role in the violence, the actions were influenced by the situation in the Gaza Strip and not by anti-Semitism.
Before the suspected violent crimes, the Israelis had, among other things, shouted slogans supporting the Israeli armed forces related to the Gaza war and burned the Palestinian flag.
Israel has continued attacks on the Gaza Strip for more than a year, where more than 45,000 people have died, according to the Ministry of Health of the area under Hamas.