Amsterdam officials condemn ‘we support Hamas’ flag display

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema dissolved a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Stopera on Wednesday evening, ANP reported, citing its correspondent at the scene. Police told more than 100 demonstrators to leave the area and warned that force would be used if they stayed. Riot police were present but did not intervene. [1]

The demonstrators had gathered earlier at Dam Square, intending to walk to Central Station for a sit-in. Instead, they went along Rokin to the Stopera. Police asked them to leave shortly after they arrived. [1]

ANP reported that firecrackers were set off during the procession and that some people carried a banner reading “We support Hamas” (translated from Dutch). [1]

Update

Several demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian protest on Amsterdam’s Dam Square held up a green flag bearing the words “we support Hamas”, according to ANP. A spokesperson for Mayor Femke Halsema said on Wednesday evening that Halsema and Amsterdam’s police chief regarded the display with great horror. They called it terrible, shocking and distasteful, and said they were saddened that Dam Square had been used in this way on 7 October. [2]