Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested in Amsterdam on Sunday after defying a public protest ban imposed by the city’s mayor. The demonstration, which took place in Dam Square, saw hundreds of participants calling for an end to the Gaza conflict and protesting the ban itself.

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The public assembly ban was enacted by Mayor Femke Halsema following a series of violent incidents on Thursday night, after a football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam. Israeli fans were targeted in what authorities described as “hit-and-run” attacks, which left five people hospitalized and prompted the Israeli government to issue a warning advising its citizens to avoid Israeli sports and cultural events abroad.

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The attacks, which authorities believe were driven by antisemitism, led to 62 arrests and sparked widespread condemnation across Europe, Israel, and the United States. The timing of the violence, occurring just before the anniversary of Kristallnacht, further heightened the tension. 'Amsterdam was already on edge, with incidents of violence reported before the match, including Israeli fans burning a Palestinian flag.

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Despite the protest ban, demonstrators on Sunday insisted they had the right to voice opposition to both Israel’s actions in Gaza and the violent behavior of Maccabi supporters."This protest has nothing to do with antisemitism," Alexander van Stokkum, one of the demonstrators, told the AFP news agency on Sunday. "It is against Israeli hooligans who were destroying our city.

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"Others told a Reuters journalist: "We refuse to let the charge of antisemitism be weaponised to suppress Palestinian resistance."More than 100 protesters were detained during the demonstration, though police have not confirmed the exact number. Activist Frank van der Linde had applied for a permit for the protest, citing a desire to speak out against what he called the "genocide in Gaza.

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" However, Amsterdam's district court upheld the ban, stating that the mayor had made the right decision in declaring the city a "high-risk security area."The Israeli embassy had warned Israeli citizens to stay away from Dam Square, citing the potential for violence. Israel’s National Security Council also advised its citizens to avoid public demonstrations in Europe, following a series of attacks targeting Israelis in several cities.

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Meanwhile, Paris authorities are preparing for a high-security event at the Nations League match between France and Israel on November 14, with 4,000 officers set to be deployed across the city.

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