THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Authorities apprehended multiple individuals on Sunday during an unauthorized protest in Amsterdam’s central area, following incidents of violence directed at supporters of an Israeli soccer club, as reported by a local broadcaster.

In response to violent confrontations involving youths on scooters and on foot targeting Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on Thursday and Friday, Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema imposed a ban on all demonstrations throughout the weekend. This decision followed widespread condemnation of the incidents, viewed as a severe act of antisemitism in the city.

Prior to the match against Ajax, supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv aggressively removed a Palestinian flag from a building in Amsterdam while chanting anti-Arab slogans en route to the stadium. Reports also indicated that these fans instigated altercations during this period.

Local broadcaster AT5 captured footage of police detaining an individual participating in a small demonstration at Dam Square, which is situated in Amsterdam’s central shopping district. Protesters were seen shouting phrases such as “Free, free Palestine.” AT5 noted that approximately 20 individuals were taken into custody during the protest.

The Amsterdam Municipality announced via X platform that law enforcement had started to arrest demonstrators unwilling to vacate Dam Square, a pivotal location in the city near its historic canals.

Protest organizers sought legal intervention on Sunday morning to overturn the ban, but a judge reaffirmed the municipality’s prohibition. During the court session, senior police officer Olivier Dutilh reported that overnight incidents targeted individuals presumed to be Jewish, including cases where people were expelled from taxis and demanded to show their passports for verification of their nationality.

In response to the violence, police initiated a comprehensive investigation on Friday after gangs of youths conducted what the mayor labeled “hit and run” attacks on fans, allegedly incited by social media calls to target Jews. The assaults led to five injuries requiring hospitalization, with over 60 suspects arrested.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in the Netherlands on Friday to offer assistance with the police investigation. He met with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Saturday, expressing that the attacks and demands to present passports were reminiscent of troubling historical periods.