A day after rioters set fire to a tram, Amsterdam police warn against renewed calls for unrest

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A senior police official warned Tuesday against calls for more unrest in Amsterdam after dozens of people armed with sticks and fireworks set a tram on fire Monday night, as the city faces tensions following violence last week is The target group is fans of an Israeli football club.

Amsterdam police's Olivier Dutilh told a court hearing that “we have signs that there are calls for similar” unrest in the west of the city.

Police said the fire was quickly extinguished Monday and emergency crews cleared the area. Images online showed people damaging property and setting off fireworks. A police vehicle later burned down on a nearby street and police suspected arson.

Police said it was not clear who sparked the unrest or whether it was related to last week's events. In videos shared on social media, some rioters could be heard uttering insults against Jewish people.

Police said they had arrested three suspects and appealed for witnesses, including in the attack on a cyclist who was beaten as he rode past the riots.

Police noted the tense atmosphere since five people were treated in hospital and dozens arrested after a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam on Thursday. According to the Amsterdam mayor, youths on scooters and on foot searched for Israeli fans, punched and kicked them, and then fled to evade police.

Pro-Palestinian protesters were banned by local authorities from gathering outside the stadium. Before the game, Maccabi fans also tore down a Palestinian flag from a building in Amsterdam and chanted anti-Arab slogans on the way to the stadium. There were also reports of fights between Maccabi fans.

Dutch police announced five new arrests on Monday as part of their investigation into this earlier violence. The suspects are men between the ages of 18 and 37 who come from Amsterdam or surrounding cities. Four are still in custody, while the fifth has already been released but remains a suspect.

Police had previously said four other men arrested last week would remain in custody as investigations continued. Two of them are minors, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old from Amsterdam. The other two men come from Amsterdam and a nearby city.

Police said they identified over 170 witnesses and obtained forensic evidence from dozens. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said they were also reviewing videos posted on social media.

Schoof met with community leaders Tuesday afternoon to discuss anti-Semitism.

Reports of anti-Semitic statements, vandalism and violence have been increasing in Europe since the Gaza war began, and tensions rose in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday night's game.

The mayor has banned all demonstrations in the city and declared several parts of Amsterdam risk zones where the police can stop and check anyone. Dozens were arrested on Sunday for taking part in a banned pro-Palestinian demonstration in the center of Amsterdam.

A small demonstration was broken up by police outside Amsterdam City Hall on Tuesday during a debate about the unrest, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported.