Dutch police under investigation for alleged violence against protesters in Amsterdam

Dutch authorities said they were looking into reports of police violence against pro-Palestinian protesters in Amsterdam, after a rally on Wednesday evening was forcibly broken up by officers.

The city's Mayor Femke Halsema said that images and videos of police using violence against protesters circulating on social media "look serious".

In one video, which has not been independently verified by Euronews, police are shown beating protesters with batons and shouting at them as they broke up a demonstration banned by authorities in the city's Dam Square.

Amsterdam police said on X they were aware of the footage and that images of police acting with force "are always disturbing to see," adding the pictures would be "weighed and judged".

"Both incidents are being investigated with high priority by the police and the Public Prosecution Service," Mayor Halsema said in a letter to Amsterdam city council circulated on local media.

She announced that the investigation would look into whether the violence was used "in accordance with the official instructions".

Tensions remain high

Protests in Amsterdam have been banned since last Friday, following several days of violence between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli football fans, which culminated in a night of clashes that drew reactions from international leaders.

Since then, the city has seen several skirmishes, including riots and an instance of a tram being set on fire. On Wednesday, 281 people were detained and driven via bus to the outskirts of the city after rallying in central Amsterdam.

Halsema has said the protest ban is no longer "legally tenable" and pointed to the large number of police needed to uphold it.

Demonstrations will be allowed in Amsterdam from Thursday afternoon, although the entire city will be designated as a security risk, and law enforcement will be allowed extended powers to stop and search people.

The violence in the Dutch capital last week centred a football game between Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv against Ajax Amsterdam.

Amsterdam's police said that Maccabi fans attacked a taxi and burned a Palestinian flag in the run-up to the game and were then chased by groups on scooters.

Five people were treated for injuries in hospital, with the incident sparking international condemnation from leaders across Europe who described it as "antisemitic".

Police have kept four people out of 62 in detention and said they are still looking for suspects.