Lhe Netherlands denounced on Friday morning the “unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis” in Amsterdam, during clashes after a Europa League match Thursday evening between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, with Israel citing “appalling” violence. and sending planes to assist them.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof described the “anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis” in Amsterdam as “unacceptable” in a message posted on his X account.
“I am in close contact with all those concerned” and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu “insisted on the fact that the perpetrators of these acts must be sought and prosecuted,” said Mr. Schoof, adding that calm had returned. in the Dutch capital.
Deployed massively on Thursday during the match, the Amsterdam police, cited by the Dutch agency ANP, indicated that they had made 57 arrests after several incidents on the sidelines of the match, without giving further details.
The Israeli authorities reacted very strongly, with the Prime Minister saying they considered “the appalling incident with the greatest seriousness” and “demanded (the Dutch authorities) to act vigorously and quickly against the rioters”.
“The difficult images of the aggression against our citizens in Amsterdam will not be ignored,” he assured. He announced “the immediate dispatch of two relief planes” to assist Israeli supporters, while the Israeli army indicated for its part that it was preparing “a relief mission” including a cargo plane as well as medical teams.
“We see with horror this morning the shocking images and videos that we had hoped never to see again since October 7: an anti-Semitic pogrom currently taking place against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam” , Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement.
Contacted by AFP, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that “Minister (Caspar) Veldkamp was in urgent contact with his Israeli counterpart following the violent incidents”, which took place overnight in the center of Amsterdam, following the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv and won by the Dutch club (5-0).
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