The man who smashed the windows of a kosher restaurant in Amsterdam on Thursday has given a full statement to the police, and says anti-semitism was not his motive.

The 29-year-old Palestinian national told his lawyer Willem van Vliet that he had acted out of desperation for Palestine, the Parool reported on Friday.

‘He has, on his own request, given a full statement, taking complete responsibility for his actions,’ Van Vliet said. ‘He said he acted out of desperation in an effort to get attention for what he calls the inhuman situation in Palestine.’

There is no link with US president Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Van Vliet said. In addition, the lawyer said, the action was directed at the Israeli government not at Jews.

The man, who was carrying a Palestinian flag, smashed several windows of the HaCarmel restaurant in Amsterdam, before going inside and ripping an Israeli flag off the wall. He was then arrested by the police.

The man has been remanded in custody.