AFP30 November 2024 | 6:53

Dutch ministers decry Israeli report on Amsterdam violence

Dutch ministers on Friday criticised the 'undesirable' manner in which Israel publicised a report accusing six pro-Palestinian groups of fomenting violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam.

Dutch ministers decry Israeli report on Amsterdam violence

THE HAGUE - Dutch ministers on Friday criticised the "undesirable" manner in which Israel publicised a report accusing six pro-Palestinian groups of fomenting violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam.

The report by Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism was "made public via social media", two ministers said in a letter to parliament.

"The report points to a supposed major, inciting and organising role of the Palestinian Community Netherlands (PGNL) foundation in these acts of violence," Justice Minister David van Weel and Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp said.

"None of these allegations, nor any substantiation thereof, were shared with the Dutch authorities via formal channels," they said.

The report, dated 10 November, was also in possession of several MPs ahead of a debate in the Dutch parliament three days later, Dutch media reports said.

"For the individuals in question and the organisations they represent, such public accusations can have negative consequences," the ministers said.

It also went against Dutch "principles of our democratic legal order," they said.

"The government finds the manner in which the Israeli ministry's report was distributed unusual and, given the possible negative consequences for Dutch residents, undesirable," Van Weel and Veldkamp said.

The ministers said they have spoken with Israeli counterparts about the matter.

Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv were assaulted in various parts of Amsterdam on November 8 following calls on social media to attack them.

The violence sparked outrage in Israel and among Dutch politicians, who described them as anti-Semitic.

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