Latest news with #FemkeHalsema
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Dutch intelligence report identifies Israel as a foreign threat for first time
The Netherlands has named Israel as a foreign threat to the country's national security for the first time, citing disinformation campaigns endangering the lives of Dutch citizens. A report published by the National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism (NCTV) says that Israel attempted to influence public opinion and politics in the country by circulating documents directly to Dutch journalists and politicians instead of using the official diplomatic channels. The alleged disinformation campaign occurred after the clashes that followed the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam last November. Close to 30 people were wounded as Israeli fans were caught on video vandalising property, threatening and assaulting people, as well as chanting racist, anti-Arab slogans. The Israeli authorities branded the riots as antisemitic and ordered two rescue planes to the Netherlands to evacuate the fans. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters A week later, the mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, took back her comments describing the violence as a "pogrom", saying that Israel "bypassed" Dutch authorities regarding the details of the events and their framing. The NCTV report said that the document circulated by Israel-affiliated agencies also contained "unusual and unwanted personal details" about Dutch citizens. The country's ministries of justice, security and foreign affairs warned that these individuals could face threats, harassment and even physical attacks. The NCTV further voiced concerns over mounting threats from both Israel and the US toward the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The report said that this could potentially disrupt the court's work. Last year, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over their role in alleged war crimes in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. ICC lawyer linked to Netanyahu advisor warned Khan to drop war crimes probe or be 'destroyed' Read More » The court has since faced significant pressure from the US and Israel to drop the investigation. The Netherlands hosts key international legal institutions, such as the International Court of Justice, and bears a special responsibility to protect them from external influence. The NCTV report comes as the Dutch government - a traditional Israeli ally - has become increasingly critical of the country over its war on Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave. Along with Ireland and Spain, the Netherlands has urged the European Union to reevaluate its ties with Israel due to its war on Gaza, accusing the country of violating the human rights provisions in the EU-Israel association agreement. In February 2024, The Hague court of appeals ordered the Dutch government to stop the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel. The court raised concerns that the weapons may be used to breach international humanitarian law. However, despite the court's decision, there have been reports that the Netherlands is still supporting the supply chain of Israel's version of the F-35 fighter jet.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside Europe's ‘ketamine capital' so flooded with drug it can be found in sewers as violent gangs cash in on ‘loophole'
The stunning city's Mayor has said the problem threatens to engulf the country. NARCO SWAMP Inside Europe's 'ketamine capital' so flooded with drug it can be found in sewers as violent gangs cash in on 'loophole' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WELCOME to Europe's "ketamine capital" where the party drug is flooding nightlife, ports and even sewers. As organised crime tightens its grip, traffickers are transforming an iconic city into what could become a full-blown 'narco-state". 11 A ketamine stash worth tens of millions of euros was uncovered by police - thought to be the 'largest ever' haul 11 An armed cop outside a court case where a Dutch 'drugs mafia' case was being heard Credit: AFP/GETTY 11 Brit Jennifer Young, 33, was arrested after flying to Mexico from Amsterdam with 13kg of ketamine 11 Ketamine is strengthening its grip on the hugely popular city of Amsterdam Credit: Getty Amsterdam – the city of canals, coffee shops and carefree nights – is fast becoming something far darker. Mayor Femke Halsema has issued a stark warning: "Without a fundamental change of course, the Netherlands is in danger of becoming a narco-state." If change doesn't come fast, 'violence will reach an all-time high", she added. The city is no longer just a tourist haven with famously relaxed cannabis laws. Instead, it's becoming a hub for global trafficking networks - where violent drug syndicates launder money, exploit legal loopholes and draw in children as young as 14 to work as drug "collectors". Halsema described the situation as "mopping with the tap running". But what was once a niche club drug, Ketamine is now one of Europe's fastest-growing illicit substances - and postcard friendly Amsterdam is now a leading global hub for the crisis. One in four party-goers aged 16 to 35 in the city reported using ketamine in the past year, according to official data. Some are monthly or even weekly users. In the short-term, users can feel its euphoric effects, hallucinations and as though they are floating - taking too much can leave some in a comatose state known as a k-hole. Ket had me peeing every 2 seconds Those taking the drug long term or addicts can suffer from damage to their nasal passageways, liver and kidneys, with some having bladder issues - in large doses, the drug can also be fatal. Users who have kicked the drug described shocking symptoms and spending up to £280 a DAY on their addictions. Officials in Amsterdam have noted a shift in user behaviour - with the mayor's office revealing that the use of ketamine at home "has been rising over the years". This aligns with reports from emergency services, who say incidents involving ketamine are steadily increasing. Festival medics are also reporting more emergency cases. 11 Police on a drugs raid in Amsterdam where Ketamine has become a huge problem. Credit: Politie Eenheid Amsterdam 11 Dutch cops say they are targeting the source of Ketamtine problem Credit: Politie Eenheid Amsterdam And hospitals in Amsterdam are seeing rising numbers of patients suffering from ketamine-related health complications — including bladder damage and mental health crises. 'We do see a rise in the number of clients that report to substance use treatment facilities due to problems with ketamine,' the mayor's office said. The number jumped from 94 cases in 2018 to 440 in 2023. And amid this surge, criminal groups are cashing in. Ketamine's dual status - legal for medical use in countries like the Netherlands and Austria - but illegal for recreational use - makes it ideal for smugglers. Traffickers exploit the medical supply chain, disguising shipments as legitimate pharmaceuticals before they vanish into the black market. Chief Inspector Peter Jansen, a drug expert from the Dutch police, said it's challenging for authorities "to backtrack" and find the source of ketamine shipments. According to Mayor Halsema's office, it's one of the key enforcement challenges. Ketamine falls under medicinal law rather than narcotics legislation. This creates a "legal grey area" that allows it to be imported under legitimate pretences - for veterinary or pharmaceutical use - and then diverted for illicit sale. This loophole - paired with inconsistent drug classifications across Europe - severely hampers enforcement and cross-border cooperation. Belgian and Dutch cops said that the more countries ketamine passes through, the more complex it is to investigate - requiring cooperation among law enforcement organisations. With its extensive transport network, liberal enforcement and central location, Amsterdam has become a key hub in these operations. City officials said: 'The Netherlands functions as a transit hub, processing point, and export gateway in the global drug trade, including ketamine-related activities.' 11 Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema 11 Aerial view of container dock and fuel storage tanks, Amsterdam 11 Ketamine is running rampant in Amsterdam (file photo) Recent seizures around Amsterdam confirmed the city's involvement not just in trafficking, but also as a storage location for large volumes of the drug. In January 2024, police seized two tonnes of ketamine from a shed in Muiderberg, east of Amsterdam - approximately worth a whopping £47million. It was dubbed the largest ketamine haul in Dutch history, Politico reported. Officers discovered other hard drugs on the premises, and arrested a 55-year-old man. Two children found at the property were taken into emergency care. Authorities warned that the ketamine trade is often tied to wider criminal activities, including money laundering and weapons possession. Elsewhere, traffickers used even more elaborate methods. In 2023, customs officials discovered a verified shipment of ketamine travelling from Schiphol Airport to Brussels had been swapped for salt mid-transit. The drug is believed to have been taken into the black market using forged documents and a labyrinth of fake companies, the BBC reported. This is an epidemic. Some criminal gangs are now making more money from ketamine than cocaine Marc Vancoillie Belgian investigators said they identified at least 28 similar cases that year, with around 28 tonnes of ketamine disappearing along the way. "This is an epidemic," Marc Vancoillie, Belgium's drug enforcement chief, said. "Some criminal gangs are now making more money from ketamine than cocaine." Ketamine cases are often uncovered as part of broader anti-drug investigations, the mayor's office explained. Nationally, between 900 and 1,000 criminal probes into organised drug crime occur annually. Ketamine tends to appear as 'bycatch' in cases involving synthetic drugs or poly-drug operations. However, the city noted a relative rise in synthetic drug cases in 2023, likely linked to large-scale ketamine seizures. Brit drug mule The fallout from Amsterdam's booming ketamine trade is being felt far beyond Dutch borders. In 2023, British former beauty queen Jennifer Young, 33, was arrested in Mexico after flying in from Amsterdam with 13kg of ketamine in her suitcase — worth around £250,000. She was facing up to 20 years in a Mexican prison, we reported at the time. Young's story is part of a wider trafficking route: ketamine is manufactured legally in countries like the Netherlands before being diverted into illicit markets as it heads for the UK or the Americas. Smugglers are increasingly relying on front companies to receive legal shipments, which they then funnel into illegal distribution chains. Others use Airbnb rentals as temporary storage depots. In one case, Belgian police traced a rented van back to a short-term let in Staden and uncovered 480kg of ketamine, 117kg of cocaine, and 63kg of heroin. 11 11 Eight British nationals were later charged, according to the BBC. The impact of ketamine's rise isn't just being seen in hospitals and courtrooms — it's showing up in the water supply. A 2024 European wastewater analysis found Amsterdam had the highest average ketamine levels in the Netherlands, with daily readings more than double those of Rotterdam or Utrecht. The figures from the European Union Drugs Agency offer a sobering snapshot of how embedded ketamine has become in Amsterdam life — not just in clubs or on street corners, but quite literally flushed into the city's bloodstream. Amsterdam's liberal drug policies were once seen as a model for Europe. What are the effects of ketamine? KETAMINE is a dissociative anaesthetic known for its unique effects on consciousness, perception, and mood. Recreationally, ketamine is used for its mind-altering and euphoric effects. Users often experience vivid hallucinations, altered perception of time and space, and a feeling of floating or disconnection from their body—commonly referred to as a 'K-hole' at higher doses. These dissociative experiences can be pleasant and dreamlike for some, but disorienting or frightening for others. Recreational use usually occurs in club or party settings, where ketamine is sought for its psychedelic and numbing effects. Physically, ketamine can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as side effects like nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and impaired motor coordination. At higher doses, users may become unresponsive or experience complete dissociation from reality. But the rapid evolution of the illegal trade has exposed the limits of leniency and left the city at a crossroads. Halsema insisted that the solution is not to abandon the Netherland's user-focused approach, but to push for global reform. She said that international drug laws — driven by prohibition — are helping, not hindering, the growth of violent trafficking networks. The mayor's office also noted: 'Amsterdam's international reputation as a tolerant city is often based on misconceptions.' The coffee-shop model creates the false impression that all drug use is tolerated - while in reality the city strongly opposes illegal trafficking. Amsterdam's appeal to traffickers, they added, lies more in its advanced logistics and financial systems than in local policy. But for now, Amsterdam is feeling the consequences firsthand: record seizures, soaring use, international smuggling routes, and criminal money seeping into the legal economy.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Europe's ‘ketamine capital' so flooded with drug it can be found in sewers as violent gangs cash in on ‘loophole'
WELCOME to Europe's "ketamine capital" where the party drug is flooding nightlife, ports and even sewers. As organised crime tightens its grip, traffickers are transforming an iconic city into what could become a full-blown 'narco-state". Advertisement 11 A ketamine stash worth tens of millions of euros was uncovered by police - thought to be the 'largest ever' haul 11 An armed cop outside a court case where a Dutch 'drugs mafia' case was being heard Credit: AFP/GETTY 11 Brit Jennifer Young, 33, was arrested after flying to Mexico from Amsterdam with 13kg of ketamine 11 Ketamine is strengthening its grip on the hugely popular city of Amsterdam Credit: Getty Advertisement Mayor Femke Halsema has issued a stark warning: "Without a fundamental change of course, the If change doesn't come fast, 'violence will reach an all-time high", she added. The city is no longer just a tourist haven with famously relaxed Instead, it's becoming a hub for global trafficking networks - where violent drug syndicates launder money, exploit legal loopholes and draw in children as young as 14 to work as drug "collectors". Halsema described the situation as "mopping with the tap running". Advertisement But what was once a niche club drug, Ketamine is now one of Europe's fastest-growing illicit substances - and postcard friendly Amsterdam is now a leading global hub for the crisis. One in four party-goers aged 16 to 35 in the city reported using ketamine in the past year, according to official data. Some are monthly or even weekly users. In the short-term, users can feel its euphoric effects, hallucinations and as though they are floating - taking too much can leave some in a comatose state known as a k-hole. Ket had me peeing every 2 seconds Those taking the drug long term or addicts can suffer from damage to their nasal passageways, liver and kidneys, with some having bladder issues - in large doses, the drug can also be fatal. Advertisement Users who have kicked the drug Officials in Amsterdam have noted a shift in user behaviour - with the mayor's office revealing that the use of ketamine at home "has been rising over the years". This aligns with reports from emergency services, who say incidents involving ketamine are steadily increasing. Festival medics are also reporting more emergency cases. 11 Police on a drugs raid in Amsterdam where Ketamine has become a huge problem. Credit: Politie Eenheid Amsterdam Advertisement 11 Dutch cops say they are targeting the source of Ketamtine problem Credit: Politie Eenheid Amsterdam And hospitals in Amsterdam are seeing rising numbers of patients suffering from ketamine-related 'We do see a rise in the number of clients that report to substance use treatment facilities due to problems with ketamine,' the mayor's office said. The number jumped from 94 cases in 2018 to 440 in 2023. And amid this surge, criminal groups are cashing in. Advertisement Ketamine's dual status - legal for medical use in countries like the Netherlands and Austria - but illegal for recreational use - makes it ideal for smugglers. Traffickers exploit the medical supply chain, disguising shipments as legitimate pharmaceuticals before they vanish into the black market. Chief Inspector Peter Jansen, a drug expert from the Dutch police, said it's challenging for authorities "to backtrack" and find the source of ketamine shipments. According to Mayor Halsema's office, it's one of the key enforcement challenges. Ketamine falls under medicinal law rather than narcotics legislation. Advertisement This creates a "legal grey area" that allows it to be imported under legitimate pretences - for veterinary or pharmaceutical use - and then diverted for illicit sale. This loophole - paired with inconsistent drug classifications across Europe - severely hampers enforcement and cross-border cooperation. Belgian and Dutch cops said that the more countries ketamine passes through, the more complex it is to investigate - requiring cooperation among With its extensive City officials said: 'The Netherlands functions as a transit hub, processing point, and export gateway in the global drug trade, including ketamine-related activities.' Advertisement 11 Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema 11 Aerial view of container dock and fuel storage tanks, Amsterdam 11 Ketamine is running rampant in Amsterdam (file photo) Credit: BBC Recent seizures around Amsterdam confirmed the city's involvement not just in trafficking, but also as a storage location for large volumes of the drug. In January 2024, Advertisement It was dubbed the largest ketamine haul in Dutch history, Officers discovered other hard Two children found at the property were taken into emergency care. Authorities warned that the ketamine trade is often tied to wider criminal activities, including money laundering and weapons possession. Elsewhere, traffickers used even more elaborate methods. Advertisement In 2023, customs officials discovered a verified shipment of ketamine travelling from Schiphol Airport to Brussels had been swapped for salt mid-transit. The drug is believed to have been taken into the black market using forged documents and a labyrinth of fake companies, the This is an epidemic. Some criminal gangs are now making more money from ketamine than cocaine Marc Vancoillie Belgian investigators said they identified at least 28 similar cases that year, with around 28 tonnes of ketamine disappearing along the way. "This is an epidemic," Marc Vancoillie, Belgium's drug enforcement chief, said. "Some criminal Advertisement Ketamine cases are often uncovered as part of broader anti-drug investigations, the mayor's office explained. Nationally, between 900 and 1,000 criminal probes into organised drug crime occur annually. Ketamine tends to appear as 'bycatch' in cases involving synthetic drugs or poly-drug operations. However, the city noted a relative rise in synthetic drug cases in 2023, likely linked to large-scale ketamine seizures. Brit drug mule The fallout from Amsterdam's booming ketamine trade is being felt far beyond Dutch borders. Advertisement In 2023, British former beauty queen Jennifer Young, 33, was arrested in She was Young's story is part of a wider trafficking route: ketamine is manufactured legally in countries like the Netherlands before being diverted into illicit markets as it heads for the UK or the Americas. Smugglers are increasingly relying on front companies to receive legal shipments, which they then funnel into illegal distribution chains. Others use Advertisement In one case, Belgian police traced a rented van back to a short-term let in Staden and uncovered 480kg of ketamine, 117kg of cocaine, and 63kg of heroin. 11 11 Eight British nationals were later charged, according to the BBC. The impact of ketamine's rise isn't just being seen in hospitals and courtrooms — it's showing up in the water supply. Advertisement A 2024 European wastewater analysis found Amsterdam had the highest average ketamine levels in the Netherlands, with daily readings more than double those of Rotterdam or Utrecht. The figures from the Amsterdam's liberal drug policies were once seen as a model for Europe. What are the effects of ketamine? KETAMINE is a dissociative anaesthetic known for its unique effects on consciousness, perception, and mood. Recreationally, ketamine is used for its mind-altering and euphoric effects. Users often experience vivid hallucinations, altered perception of time and space, and a feeling of floating or disconnection from their body—commonly referred to as a 'K-hole' at higher doses. These dissociative experiences can be pleasant and dreamlike for some, but disorienting or frightening for others. Recreational use usually occurs in club or party settings, where ketamine is sought for its psychedelic and numbing effects. Physically, ketamine can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as side effects like nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and impaired motor coordination. At higher doses, users may become unresponsive or experience complete dissociation from reality. But the rapid evolution of the illegal trade has exposed the limits of leniency and left the city at a crossroads. Halsema insisted that the solution is not to abandon the Netherland's user-focused approach, but to push for global reform. Advertisement She said that international drug laws — driven by prohibition — are helping, not hindering, the growth of violent trafficking networks. The mayor's office also noted: 'Amsterdam's international reputation as a tolerant city is often based on misconceptions.' The coffee-shop model creates the false impression that all drug use is tolerated - while in reality the city strongly opposes illegal trafficking. Amsterdam's appeal to traffickers, they added, lies more in its advanced logistics and financial systems than in local policy. But for now, Amsterdam is feeling the consequences firsthand: record seizures, soaring use, international smuggling routes, and criminal money seeping into the legal economy. Advertisement
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Inside Europe's ‘ketamine capital' so flooded with drug it can be found in sewers as violent gangs cash in on ‘loophole'
WELCOME to Europe's "ketamine capital" where the party drug is flooding nightlife, ports and even sewers. As organised crime tightens its grip, traffickers are transforming an iconic city into what could become a full-blown 'narco-state". 11 11 11 Amsterdam – the city of canals, coffee shops and carefree nights – is fast becoming something far darker. Mayor Femke Halsema has issued a stark warning: "Without a fundamental change of course, the Netherlands is in danger of becoming a narco-state." If change doesn't come fast, 'violence will reach an all-time high", she added. The city is no longer just a tourist haven with famously relaxed cannabis laws. Instead, it's becoming a hub for global trafficking networks - where violent drug syndicates launder money, exploit legal loopholes and draw in children as young as 14 to work as drug "collectors". Halsema described the situation as "mopping with the tap running". But what was once a niche club drug, Ketamine is now one of Europe's fastest-growing illicit substances - and postcard friendly Amsterdam is now a leading global hub for the crisis. One in four party-goers aged 16 to 35 in the city reported using ketamine in the past year, according to official data. Some are monthly or even weekly users. In the short-term, users can feel its euphoric effects, hallucinations and as though they are floating - taking too much can leave some in a comatose state known as a k-hole. Ket had me peeing every 2 seconds Those taking the drug long term or addicts can suffer from damage to their nasal passageways, liver and kidneys, with some having bladder issues - in large doses, the drug can also be fatal. Users who have kicked the drug described shocking symptoms and spending up to £280 a DAY on their addictions. Officials in Amsterdam have noted a shift in user behaviour - with the mayor's office revealing that the use of ketamine at home "has been rising over the years". This aligns with reports from emergency services, who say incidents involving ketamine are steadily increasing. Festival medics are also reporting more emergency cases. And hospitals in Amsterdam are seeing rising numbers of patients suffering from ketamine-related health complications — including bladder damage and mental health crises. 'We do see a rise in the number of clients that report to substance use treatment facilities due to problems with ketamine,' the mayor's office said. The number jumped from 94 cases in 2018 to 440 in 2023. And amid this surge, criminal groups are cashing in. Ketamine's dual status - legal for medical use in countries like the Netherlands and Austria - but illegal for recreational use - makes it ideal for smugglers. Traffickers exploit the medical supply chain, disguising shipments as legitimate pharmaceuticals before they vanish into the black market. Chief Inspector Peter Jansen, a drug expert from the Dutch police, said it's challenging for authorities "to backtrack" and find the source of ketamine shipments. According to Mayor Halsema's office, it's one of the key enforcement challenges. Ketamine falls under medicinal law rather than narcotics legislation. This creates a "legal grey area" that allows it to be imported under legitimate pretences - for veterinary or pharmaceutical use - and then diverted for illicit sale. This loophole - paired with inconsistent drug classifications across Europe - severely hampers enforcement and cross-border cooperation. Belgian and Dutch cops said that the more countries ketamine passes through, the more complex it is to investigate - requiring cooperation among law enforcement organisations. With its extensive transport network, liberal enforcement and central location, Amsterdam has become a key hub in these operations. City officials said: 'The Netherlands functions as a transit hub, processing point, and export gateway in the global drug trade, including ketamine-related activities.' 11 Recent seizures around Amsterdam confirmed the city's involvement not just in trafficking, but also as a storage location for large volumes of the drug. In January 2024, police seized two tonnes of ketamine from a shed in Muiderberg, east of Amsterdam - approximately worth a whopping £47million. It was dubbed the largest ketamine haul in Dutch history, Politico reported. Officers discovered other hard drugs on the premises, and arrested a 55-year-old man. Two children found at the property were taken into emergency care. Authorities warned that the ketamine trade is often tied to wider criminal activities, including money laundering and weapons possession. Elsewhere, traffickers used even more elaborate methods. In 2023, customs officials discovered a verified shipment of ketamine travelling from Schiphol Airport to Brussels had been swapped for salt mid-transit. The drug is believed to have been taken into the black market using forged documents and a labyrinth of fake companies, the BBC reported. Belgian investigators said they identified at least 28 similar cases that year, with around 28 tonnes of ketamine disappearing along the way. "This is an epidemic," Marc Vancoillie, Belgium's drug enforcement chief, said. "Some criminal gangs are now making more money from ketamine than cocaine." Ketamine cases are often uncovered as part of broader anti-drug investigations, the mayor's office explained. Nationally, between 900 and 1,000 criminal probes into organised drug crime occur annually. Ketamine tends to appear as 'bycatch' in cases involving synthetic drugs or poly-drug operations. However, the city noted a relative rise in synthetic drug cases in 2023, likely linked to large-scale ketamine seizures. Brit drug mule The fallout from Amsterdam's booming ketamine trade is being felt far beyond Dutch borders. In 2023, British former beauty queen Jennifer Young, 33, was arrested in Mexico after flying in from Amsterdam with 13kg of ketamine in her suitcase — worth around £250,000. She was facing up to 20 years in a Mexican prison, we reported at the time. Young's story is part of a wider trafficking route: ketamine is manufactured legally in countries like the Netherlands before being diverted into illicit markets as it heads for the UK or the Americas. Smugglers are increasingly relying on front companies to receive legal shipments, which they then funnel into illegal distribution chains. Others use Airbnb rentals as temporary storage depots. In one case, Belgian police traced a rented van back to a short-term let in Staden and uncovered 480kg of ketamine, 117kg of cocaine, and 63kg of heroin. 11 Eight British nationals were later charged, according to the BBC. The impact of ketamine's rise isn't just being seen in hospitals and courtrooms — it's showing up in the water supply. A 2024 European wastewater analysis found Amsterdam had the highest average ketamine levels in the Netherlands, with daily readings more than double those of Rotterdam or Utrecht. The figures from the European Union Drugs Agency offer a sobering snapshot of how embedded ketamine has become in Amsterdam life — not just in clubs or on street corners, but quite literally flushed into the city's bloodstream. Amsterdam's liberal drug policies were once seen as a model for Europe. What are the effects of ketamine? KETAMINE is a dissociative anaesthetic known for its unique effects on consciousness, perception, and mood. Recreationally, ketamine is used for its mind-altering and euphoric effects. Users often experience vivid hallucinations, altered perception of time and space, and a feeling of floating or disconnection from their body—commonly referred to as a 'K-hole' at higher doses. These dissociative experiences can be pleasant and dreamlike for some, but disorienting or frightening for others. Recreational use usually occurs in club or party settings, where ketamine is sought for its psychedelic and numbing effects. Physically, ketamine can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as side effects like nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and impaired motor coordination. At higher doses, users may become unresponsive or experience complete dissociation from reality. But the rapid evolution of the illegal trade has exposed the limits of leniency and left the city at a crossroads. Halsema insisted that the solution is not to abandon the Netherland's user-focused approach, but to push for global reform. She said that international drug laws — driven by prohibition — are helping, not hindering, the growth of violent trafficking networks. The mayor's office also noted: 'Amsterdam's international reputation as a tolerant city is often based on misconceptions.' The coffee-shop model creates the false impression that all drug use is tolerated - while in reality the city strongly opposes illegal trafficking. Amsterdam's appeal to traffickers, they added, lies more in its advanced logistics and financial systems than in local policy. But for now, Amsterdam is feeling the consequences firsthand: record seizures, soaring use, international smuggling routes, and criminal money seeping into the legal economy.
Daily Tribune
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Amsterdam police 'overtaken' by speed of attacks on Israel fans: report
AFP | The Hague, Netherlands Amsterdam police trying to contain attacks on fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv in November were overwhelmed by assailants' hit-and-run tactics and rapid incitement via social media, according to a report published on Monday. The violence in the early hours of November 8, 2024, followed two days of skirmishes that saw Maccabi fans chant anti-Arab songs, vandalise a taxi and burn a Palestinian flag. The attacks left five people briefly hospitalised. Police acted with "great commitment, flexibility and professionalism", concluded the report by an oversight body in the justice ministry. Authorities were able to deploy 1,200 officers, drones, arrest squads, horses and water cannons but were still caught off-guard by the fast-moving events. "Although the police acted decisively, they were also overtaken at times by the speed and unpredictability of developments," the report noted. "Blitz attacks by small groups of rioters, using taxis and scooters to move around quickly and target Jewish people on the streets, made different demands on the approach taken by the police." Social media was another key factor in making the violence difficult to contain, the report said. "People were able to spread messages and images at lightning speed, thereby heightening existing tensions," it noted. "Relatively minor incidents, such as the removal of a Palestinian flag by Maccabi supporters, were shared, interpreted, and magnified within minutes." The report also criticised reactions in the immediate aftermath of the violence. Israeli President Isaac Herzog talked of an "anti-Semitic pogrom" while Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema drew parallels between the violence and "memories of pogroms". She later regretted this, saying the word had been used as propaganda. "What stands out is the speed with which everyone expressed an opinion in the aftermath of the events," said the report. "Politicians, administrators, and the media immediately jumped to conclusions, without having any insight into exactly what had occurred."
