Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam this Friday morning to rescue Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters after violence led to dozens of arrests on the sidelines of a Europa League match.
“The Prime Minister ordered the immediate dispatch of two relief planes to come to the aid of our citizens,” according to a press release from his services, specifying that Benjamin Netanyahu considered “the appalling incident with the greatest seriousness.”
Clashes broke out overnight in the center of Amsterdam, following the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv and won by the Dutch club (5-0). “A large number of vehicles from the mobile unit are present and reinforcements have also been called. Young people also allegedly provoked the police,” described local media AT5.
Police protected and escorted Israeli supporters to their hotel, according to footage shared by AT5. Amsterdam police, cited by the ANP agency, indicated that they had made 57 arrests in total during the day.
She indicated on Thursday that she was “particularly vigilant” on her X account, after reporting several incidents, including a Palestinian flag torn from a facade “by unknown persons”.
In the afternoon, around a hundred Israeli supporters gathered on Dam Square – surrounded by a large police force – before going to the Johan Cruyff stadium, southwest of the Dutch capital.
A pro-Palestinian rally condemning the arrival of the Israeli club was initially planned near the stadium, but was moved a little further into the neighborhood by Amsterdam town hall for security reasons.
>> More information to come…
