Dutch PM to skip COP29 climate summit amid probe into Amsterdam soccer violence
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Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof (centre) talking to the media at a European Council summit in Budapest on Nov 8.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
AMSTERDAM - Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof will miss the COP29 climate summit after clashes in Amsterdam this week between Israeli soccer fans and pro-Palestinian protesters as his government investigates if warning signs from Israel were missed.
"I will not be going to Azerbaijan next week for the UN Climate Conference COP29. Due to the major social impact of the events of last Thursday night in Amsterdam, I will remain in the Netherlands", he said on social media platform X.
Dutch Climate Minister Sophie Hermans will still attend the Nov 11-22 environment meeting while a climate envoy will replace Mr Schoof, the premier added, saying the Nov 7 night violence in Amsterdam would be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Nov 11.
In a second day of meetings during a last-minute trip prompted by the unrest, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met his Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp on Nov 9. Mr Saar held talks with Justice Minister David van Weel and far-right leader Geert Wilders when he arrived on Nov 8.
Mr Veldkamp said in a statement after the meeting that his country would call for European Union-wide efforts to tackle anti-Semitism.
At least five people were injured during the unrest involving fans of the visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team who lost 5-0 to Ajax in the Europa League.
Justice Minister David van Weel said in a letter to parliament that information was still being gathered, including on possible warning signs from Israel, and whether the assaults were organised and had an antisemitic motive.
Fast-track justice would be applied with maximum efforts to find every suspect, he vowed.
Four people remain in custody over the unrest, police said.
Political leaders from Mr Schoof down have denounced the attacks as antisemitic and urged swift justice.
Videos of the unrest on social media showed riot police in action, with some attackers shouting anti-Israeli slurs.
Israeli football supporters and Dutch youth clash near Amsterdam’s central station, in the Netherlands, on Nov 8.
Footage also showed Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans before the match.
Israel sent planes to The Netherlands to bring fans home.
"Violence and hate in all their manifestations have no place in sports," the Palestine Football Association (PFA) said.
Amsterdam banned demonstrations at the weekend and gave police emergency stop-and-search powers.
Anti-Semitic incidents have surged in the Netherlands during the Gaza war, with many Jewish organisations and schools reporting threats and hate mail. REUTERS
