Geert Wilders warns of an ‘intifada’ warning in Amsterdam after thugs chanting ‘cancer Jews’ commit new violence in the Dutch capital, setting fire to a tram

Far-right Dutch rioter Geert Wilders has condemned the latest wave of anti-Semitism to hit Amsterdam after thugs chanting “cancer Jews” violently rampaged through the city, culminating in the torching of a tram.

Video footage of the tram, near ’40-’45 Plein in Amsterdam West, taken on Monday evening showed fireworks being set off inside before exploding, causing a large fire inside and shattering a window.

Rioters could be heard cheering as the fireworks went off. Local media reported hearing shouting chants of “cancer Jews.”

Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), warned X: ‘After the Jew hunt, the Intifada.’

Five people, all Dutch and aged between 18 and 37, were arrested following the latest flare-up of violence, bringing the total number of people arrested since Thursday to 68.

Blackmailing thugs set fire to a tram with fireworks

Dutch police officers arrest a man after riots in Amsterdam as violence continues in the city

Windows of the tram in Amsterdam were smashed due to the violence, the police say it is unclear who started the fire

Geert Wilders (photo) warned X: ‘After the Jew hunt, the Intifada.’

The tram inferno follows days of violence against fans of an Israeli football team – in what was dubbed a ‘Jew hunt’.

The city’s police said there was a tense atmosphere after five people were taken to hospital following an Ajax match against Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, where dozens of people were detained.

Young people on scooters and on foot sought out Israeli fans, punched and kicked them and then fled to avoid police, Amsterdam’s mayor said.

Police said four other men arrested last week would remain in custody as investigations continue.

Two of those men are minors, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old from Amsterdam.

The fireworks were set off last night in an Amsterdam tram

The fireworks caused a fire in the car

The force of the fireworks shattered a window

The fire was reportedly extinguished quickly after it started

The other two men are from Amsterdam and a nearby city.

Police said they have identified more than 170 witnesses and collected forensic evidence from dozens.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said they were also investigating videos posted on social media.

He said after last night’s outbreak of violence: ‘The images and reports about Amsterdam and what we have seen this weekend of anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis and Jews are nothing short of shocking and despicable.

Schoof also condemned Maccabi supporters who attacked a taxi and burned the Palestinian flag in Amsterdam, in addition to chanting anti-Arab slogans.

“We are well aware of what happened previously with Maccabi supporters, but we think that is in a different category and we also condemn any violence, but that does not in any way excuse what happened later that evening in the attacks on Jews in Amsterdam.’

Reports of anti-Semitic speech, vandalism and violence have been on the rise in Europe since the start of the war in Gaza, and tensions rose in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday night’s match.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were banned by local authorities from gathering outside the stadium.

The tram in Amsterdam was damaged after people armed with sticks and fireworks set it on fire

Police officers in riot gear patrol the streets of Amsterdam after more violence

A man stands next to the tram, the windows of which were smashed during the riots

Police in riot gear because the mayor of Amsterdam banned all demonstrations in the city on Monday

Before the match, Maccabi fans also tore a Palestinian flag from a building in Amsterdam and chanted anti-Arab slogans on their way to the stadium.

There were also reports of Maccabi fans starting a fight.

The mayor has banned all demonstrations in the city and declared several parts of Amsterdam ‘risk zones’ where the police can arrest and check anyone.

Dozens were arrested on Sunday for participating in a banned pro-Palestinian demonstration in central Amsterdam.

Newly appointed Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rushed to the Netherlands on Friday and offered Israel’s help in the police investigation.

He met with the Dutch prime minister on Saturday and said in a statement that the attacks and demands to show passports are “reminiscent of dark periods in history.”

Mr. Saar told reporters in Jerusalem on Monday that Israel considered the number of arrests following the clashes in Amsterdam last week to be “very low.”

Protesters run with Palestinian flags ahead of the UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Anton de Komplein in Amsterdam, Netherlands, November 7, 2024.

Hours before the match, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans held a pro-Israel demonstration on the city’s Dam Square

Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv organize a pro-Israel demonstration on Dam Square

“I was told by the mayor of Amsterdam that they have formed a special investigation team, but I can say that the number of arrests so far is very low,” Saar said.

The Dutch city’s police chief said “incidents on both sides” had taken place on Wednesday, 24 hours before the match.

“A Palestinian flag has been set on fire on Dam Square,” he added, referring to Amsterdam’s central square.

In scenes that showed the tensions, an unverified video on social media, which was reportedly filmed on Thursday, appeared to show some Maccabi fans chanting in Hebrew: “Let the IDF (army) win!” We’ll fuck the Arabs!’

The scenes in Amsterdam were enough to sow fear in other European countries.

Paris police said on Sunday that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed to a football match between France and Israel to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transport.

France and Israel will play a UEFA Nations League match on Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron will attend, the Elysee presidential palace said.

Israel’s National Security Council warned citizens abroad in a statement on Sunday to avoid sporting and cultural events, especially the match in Paris, and to be cautious about violent attacks “on the pretext of demonstrations.”