By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News, with reporting by Johan Th. Bos in Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM (Worthy News) – Police say pro-Palestine protesters gathered on Amsterdam’s central Dam Square despite a protest ban following the first pogrom in the Netherlands against Jews since World War Two.
“We are present on Dam Square in large numbers because of a prohibited demonstration,” Amsterdam police said late Wednesday.
“We have ordered the demonstrators to leave. Some of them then left voluntarily. The remaining demonstrators are surrounded by police officers. They have been arrested and will be transported in waiting buses.”
Some protesters were wearing masks, although face coverings are prohibited under a temporary emergency ordinance issued by authorities.
Police, present with many officers, vans, and riot police, intervened briefly, calling “everyone to leave Dam Square,” but then left protesters alone, reporters saw.
Those attending the pro-Palestine rally were able to continue their protest till police broke up the massive gathering.
Amsterdam’s local authorities (the mayor, police chief, and chief public prosecutor) issued an emergency ordinance after numerous people were injured during a “Jews hunt” by Arab Muslims.
HIGH RISK
The decree designates the city as “a high-risk security area,” enabling preventive searches and banning protests, officials said.
The emergency ordinance was to expire on Thursday at noon local time.
However, “a security risk area will remain in effect” until Sunday. “Due to the ongoing unrest in the city and the online threats to a number of schools in Amsterdam,” the Amsterdam leadership said.
Within this area, police can “preventively search” anyone, authorities announced.
Although the demonstration was moved to the Westergasterrein (Western Gast Terrain), many demonstrators stayed on Dam Square shouting “Free Palestine!” and other slogans.
During an emergency debate in parliament, critics said, “Amsterdam is moving toward anarchy.”
Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders said he will present a motion to parliament calling for the resignation of Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Taiwan has told the incoming Trump administration it is interested in securing a massive $15 billion military weapons deal with the United States, the Financial Times reported exclusively on Tuesday (November 12).
President-Elect Donald Trump named two more high-profile figures to his administration Wednesday afternoon, the latest in a flurry of presidential picks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Wednesday that Turkey has cut its ties with the State of Israel, marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Police say pro-Palestine protesters gathered on Amsterdam’s central Dam Square despite a protest ban following the first pogrom in the Netherlands against Jews since World War Two.
President-Elect Donald Trump continues to fill out his cabinet today by announcing Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the next Secretary of State.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) will take over as Republican Senate leader and majority leader in the new Congress, succeeding Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, in January.
Newly appointed Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that Israel would reject any ceasefire agreement that does not require Hezbollah to withdraw beyond the Litani River, amid reports that a deal may be close.