Four convicted for Amsterdam violence against Israelis, calling for Jews’ death By AFP and ToI Staff Today, 4:12 pm 14 Screenshot from a video showing assailants running after fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv following a soccer game in Amsterdam on November 8, 2024. (X screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law) Screenshot from a video showing assailants running after fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv following a soccer game in Amsterdam on November 8, 2024. (X screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law) A Dutch court convicts four men for their part in November’s violence against Israeli soccer fans that sparked accusations of antisemitism. The latest convictions by the Amsterdam District Court follow five others handed down in December for the “hit-and-run” style attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in the early hours of November 8. Images of the violence, which Israel says wounded 10, went around the world and sparked a furious reaction in Israel including accusations of a “pogrom.” Promoted: Birthright, the gift of a lifetime Keep Watching Aged between 22 and 32 years, this week’s suspects are found guilty of a range of offenses including helping to foment the violence and insulting Jews. Cenk. D., 27, receives the heaviest sentence of three months in prison, for pointing out locations of Maccabi fans after an Europa League match between the visiting Israeli club and Ajax. He is also sentenced for insulting Jews, including making disparaging comments about the Holocaust and posting slogans such “Dead Jew better than living Jew,” the court’s judges say. “The persecution of Jews during the Second World War is one of the most shocking events in history and has caused untold suffering,” the judges say in a verdict posted online. “Condoning and trivializing the Holocaust not only causes personal suffering amongst Jews but can also contribute to feelings of insecurity and unrest in society,” they add. Mounir M., 32, is jailed for six weeks as one of the administrators of the online chat group. Kamal I., 22, is sentenced to one month in jail for sharing the location of Maccabi supporters in the Dutch capital. The court also sentences Mohammed B., 26, to 30 days in jail for chasing a Maccabi supporter and “making a hitting movement with a belt.” The court says the violence was influenced by the situation in Gaza. While noting that it happened after Maccabi fans chanted anti-Arab songs and committed some acts of vandalism, “this context offers no justification for calling for, and using physical violence against Israeli supporters who were guests in Amsterdam for a soccer match.”
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Recent reports indicate that pro-Palestinian protests at Harvard University have significantly decreased in intensity and frequency compared to their peak in 2023 and early 2024, largely due to administrative actions and external pressures. While there are still some student-led activities advocating for Palestinian causes, such as divestment from companies tied to Israel, these efforts are less visible and more constrained than before. In April 2024, Harvard saw notable protests, including an encampment in Harvard Yard organized by the group Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP), demanding divestment from Israel-related investments. This encampment ended in May 2024 after negotiations with the university, with Harvard agreeing to more transparency about its endowment but not fully meeting the protesters’ demands. Since then, the university has taken steps that have curtailed such activism, including: Sanctions and Probation: The Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) was placed on probation in April 2025 following a protest against the dismissal of Center for Middle Eastern Studies leadership, which was seen as a response to federal scrutiny over campus antisemitism. This has limited the group’s ability to organize large-scale demonstrations. Administrative Changes: Harvard dismissed leaders of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies and suspended programs perceived as anti-Israel, partly in response to pressure from the Trump administration and accusations of failing to address antisemitism. Federal and Political Pressure: The Trump administration’s threats to cut federal funding (over $2 billion) and revoke foreign student visas have created a chilling effect on campus activism. Posts on X from April 2025 suggest that Harvard’s administration has “gutted” programs related to Palestine and repressed protests to appease these pressures. Student Sentiment: Some students continue to express support for Palestine, as seen in a March 2025 Harvard Law School student vote urging the endowment to divest from Israel-related companies. However, this was a symbolic action and did not lead to widespread protests. Additionally, fear of repercussions, including visa revocations for international students, has silenced some activists. On the other hand, there are indications of ongoing tension. A protest in April 2025, dubbed “Stand Up Harvard,” saw about 300 people, including students and faculty, condemning the Trump administration’s policies and visa revocations targeting pro-Palestinian activists. Posts on X from April 2025 also highlight smaller-scale actions, like students disrupting graduation ceremonies to protest Harvard’s stance on Palestine, though these were not described as sustained campaigns. Critics, including some Jewish and Israeli students, argue that these protests, even when reduced, contribute to an environment perceived as hostile. Harvard’s Hillel chapter has claimed that federal actions targeting protests harm Jewish and Israeli students by undermining academic freedom. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian groups assert that the university’s concessions to external pressures stifle legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies. In summary, while Harvard is not currently seeing large-scale protests against Israel as it did in 2023–2024, sporadic and smaller-scale activism persists amid a complex backdrop of administrative crackdowns, federal oversight, and polarized campus sentiments.
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