Hundreds attend Israel demonstration at Dam Square, heavy police presence

Thousands gathered at Dam Square in Amsterdam for a pro-Israel demonstration titled Op de bres voor Israël, which featured speeches from figures including SGP politician Chris Stoffer and Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs. While the municipal government had banned a planned counter-protest at the same location due to public order concerns, forcing it to move to Oude Turfmarkt, some pro-Palestinian activists still appeared at the square. During the event, demonstrators hung a large Palestinian flag from a balcony overlooking the square and distributed leaflets supporting the Palestinian cause. Police maintained a heavy presence throughout the evening to manage the volatile situation. Tensions escalated when a group of counter-protesters who had gathered at the Dam monument were surrounded by law enforcement officers. Authorities eventually detained dozens of these individuals and transported them away from the scene by bus, although the total number of arrests has not yet been confirmed by police officials.