GVB located footage of metro stations around Ajax - Maccabi match after all | AT5 – 17 Sept. 2025 |
The GVB (public transport company) has indeed found footage from several metro stations before the Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv match. The transport company thought the footage had been erased due to system replacements, but later discovered that the old recorders hadn't yet been destroyed.
Previously Dismissed Cases
An investigation into a possible assault was previously halted because the footage had disappeared. It remains to be seen whether the investigation can be reopened. The police still need to determine whether the footage is usable and whether the incidents are actually visible on it.
An investigation into an alleged threat was also halted due to a lack of footage. Maccabi supporters allegedly shouted "We will kill all of you" at two veiled women on the subway.
In the latter case, it remains highly questionable whether the investigation can be reopened. The GVB (public transport company) states that CCTV footage has only been recovered from stations in the city. There is no footage of what happened on the trains.
Now that footage has been recovered, the Public Prosecution Service says the discovery "could have consequences for the incidents that have been reported." The police have requisitioned the footage and will review it.
Violent incidents supporters Maccabi Tel Aviv v Ajax in Amsterdam | Debate in Dutch Parliament with PM Schoof and Minster Van Weel (Justice and Security) and Minister Uitermark (Home Secretary)
The Hague - 13 november 2024
The debate was prompted by reports of pro-Palestinian rioters attacking Israeli supporters. Prime Minister Schoof described the acts as "absolutely antisemitic." The legal order has been severely shaken by the events, not only in the Netherlands but also internationally, says Minister Uitermark.
Misconduct and violence by Maccabi supporters are also unacceptable, Minister Van Weel emphasizes: there should be no double standards. But according to the minister, nothing justifies the manhunt that has taken place. "There's no way to downplay it," he says.
Tough approach
"I do not accept that Jews are being hunted down in our capital," says Wilders (Party for Freedom). He suggests revoking the perpetrators' Dutch citizenship as punishment. And he wants the mayor of Amsterdam dismissed for failing to do so.
The city council has the authority to appoint and dismiss mayors, says Minister Uitermark. For the cabinet, there are "few taboos" in taking a firm stance against the perpetrators, emphasizes Schoof. The cabinet is investigating whether antisemitic violence can be considered terrorism. And terrorists with dual nationality can have their Dutch citizenship revoked. But prosecution is the responsibility of the Public Prosecution Service.
According to Dijk (Party for Freedom and Democracy), the perpetrators must be dealt with firmly in the short term. But threatening to confiscate passports won't help, he believes. He believes that in the long term, the focus should be on investing in society to combat segregation. Baudet (Party for Freedom and Democracy) suggests that hooligans and street thugs should pay for the damage they have caused.
Integration problem
Jewish Amsterdammers have been experiencing insecurity for years, says Yeşilgöz (VVD), citing an integration problem. In the past, politicians were barely able to discuss this for fear of being labeled racist, she argues. You're allowed to honor your own culture and traditions when you come to the Netherlands, but you should also endorse some important Dutch values, says Van Vroonhoven (NSC).
Attending a commemoration for the October 7th terror attack by Hamas. From left to right Yesilgöz, Van der Plas, Wilders.
Jetten (D66) isn't against targeted intervention, but believes the Netherlands is being treated as if there's one major integration problem. He wants people who come here to learn the language as quickly as possible and be able to work. According to him, this has always been blocked by right-wing parties.
Van Baarle (DENK) believes the prime minister is suggesting that Muslim-Dutch youth are collectively to blame for the violence because a large portion of them do not subscribe to Dutch norms and values. Van Baarle sees this as a sign that we're dealing with a "far-right government."
According to Schoof, it concerns a specific group of young people who used violence against Jews and who, due to a lack of integration, have turned their backs on society. He emphasizes that it began with their actions, for which there is no place in the Netherlands.
Connection
With emotions running high, Timmermans (GreenLeft-Labour Party) believes political leadership is needed to bring people back together. He believes it's the responsibility of politicians to steer the country, currently experiencing a high level of fear and anger, toward a calmer path. "You can't combat antisemitism with Muslim hatred," says Teunissen (Party for the Animals). She believes the government should take a unifying approach.
According to Koekkoek (Volt), politicians have exploited fear and grief in recent days. She believes this makes people sensitive to proposals that were previously considered taboo.
"We can all contribute to de-escalation and connection," says Minister Uitermark. She sees enormous power in society for this. She urges everyone to continue engaging in dialogue. For example, the government is engaging with various religious communities.
Combating antisemitism
Van der Plas (BBB) points to the anti-Semitism spread online. What options exist to ban Instagram accounts like Cestmocro? For criminal offenses such as expressing hatred or antisemitism, the online world is the same as the offline world, says Van Weel. The Public Prosecution Service can instruct media companies to ban information on certain accounts.
Stoffer (SGP) suggests paying more attention to antisemitism during integration, because everyone should know that there is no place for antisemitism in the Netherlands. Remembrance centers such as Westerbork, Camp Vught, and the Oranje Hotel are important for education about Jewish history and the Holocaust, says Bikker (Christian Union). She urges against cuts in these areas. Prime Minister Schoof promises to investigate how they can "move forward financially."
The cabinet will present an antisemitism strategy in a few days, Minister Van Weel announces. A structural budget of €4.5 million will be allocated for this purpose. A security fund will be established to protect Jewish schools and communities. Plans will also be included to safeguard and protect Jewish culture and life.
Constitutional Right to Demonstrate
Since the violence surrounding the football match, Amsterdam has been unsettled. The mayor has therefore announced a temporary ban on demonstrating. Eerdmans (JA21) points out that this ban is not being observed. He wants the right to demonstrate restricted and mentions, among other things, a ban on face-covering clothing. Bontenbal (CDA) sees public safety issues and limited police capacity as good reasons to consider updating the right to demonstrate.
Minister Van Weel is "dismayed" at how demonstrations place an enormous burden on police resources. Furthermore, an increasing number of demonstrations are disruptive or threatening in nature. A study is currently underway to consider adjustments to the right to demonstrate.
The House of Representatives will vote on the motions submitted during the debate on November 19, 2024.
Summing up the misery and root cause of terror in the Middle East … my diary.
