In Amsterdam, Thursday November 7, Maccabi Tel-Aviv supporters were attacked after attending a Europa League match against Ajax. Before the match, incidents had already broken out following provocative acts by Israeli fans.
Violence broke out in Amsterdam after the Europa League match won 5-0 by Ajax against Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Thursday November 7. Several supporters of the Israeli club were attacked, against a backdrop of war in Gaza. “There is no excuse for the anti-Semitic behavior demonstrated last night by the rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them,” the city of Amsterdam denounced in a statement.
>>> All the information and reactions after the violence in Amsterdam
- Violence committed in the space of a few minutes
Shortly after 11 p.m., the match ends. The exit from the stadium took place without incident, under the surveillance of the Mobile Unit of the Dutch police. 800 agents were mobilized. The Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters did not leave the enclosure immediately, but shortly after the departure of the other spectators, as is the usual security protocol for visiting supporters. At midnight, local media AT5 reported a “calm in the city”. About half an hour later, the police informed of an intervention by anti-riot forces in several places in the city, notably near the southern banks and on the Dam. There is talk of clashes between “young people and Maccabi supporters”, but also of clashes with the police.
Obviously filmed before the police were deployed, images appeared on social networks after midnight. They show Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters being violently beaten in the streets of the city. Some amateur videos feature people shouting “Free Palestine”. “That’s for the children killed!” said an attacker, referring to the war in Gaza.
“The riots in and around Dam Square consisted of brief incidents which were resolved very quickly when we arrived on scene. There were no injuries for which we had to call an ambulance. “There may have been injured people who didn't show up or who took care of themselves, but we weren't asked.” said a police spokesperson. We later learned that five people were hospitalized and 62 arrests were made. But the majority of the arrests took place before and during the match, according to De Telegraaf.
At 1 a.m., on the emblematic square of the capital, the situation is under control. Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters are there and are safe. Buses are chartered and placed under police escort to return to various hotels.
- People are reported missing
Israeli media reported Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters missing after the violence. The Dutch authorities have not provided any information on this matter. According to The Telegraphpeople are actually wanted. But phone thefts and losses could explain these disappearances.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv fans caused incidents before the match
Incidents broke out in Amsterdam the day before the match. Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv, known for having participated in violent clashes in other countries, notably tore down Palestinian flags hanging from windows. One of these flags was burned in Dam Square, according to De Telegraaf. During this stroll, taxi drivers were attacked. Subsequently, other fans of the Israeli club were forced to take refuge at the Holland Casino. The police intervention avoided additional clashes.
Furthermore, other images show that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters chanted a provocative song linked to the war in Gaza. Once in the stadium, the line-up of Israeli fans did not respect the minute of silence organized before kick-off in tribute to the victims of the deadly floods in Spain.
- Taxi drivers and young people on scooters suspected
For the violence that occurred Thursday evening, the first elements of the investigation reported by the Dutch media suggest that the suspects are mainly taxi drivers and young people who were traveling on scooters.
Telegram groups would have been used to communicate with each other, on which rumors suggested the presence of Israeli soldiers and agents of the Israeli intelligence services (Mossad) among the procession of Maccabi supporters.
- Wave of international indignation
At dawn, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced “terrible” violence and announced the sending of two planes to Amsterdam to rescue Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters. “The difficult images of the aggression against our citizens in Amsterdam will not be ignored,” he assured. The new head of Israeli diplomacy, Gideon Saar, has announced his intention to go to Amsterdam shortly for an “urgent diplomatic visit”.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called “anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis” “unacceptable.” “I am in close contact with all those concerned,” he added.
In France, these clashes are a reminder that the Blues face Israel at the Stade de France on November 14. A match that Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior, intends to maintain with the public: “Some are calling for the relocation of the France-Israel match. I do not accept it: France is not backing down because that would amount to abdicating in the face of threats of violence and in the face of anti-Semitism.
