The violence which broke out during the night from Thursday to Friday in Amsterdam represents a “explosion of anti-Semitism” Who “hadn’t been seen for a long time”said the city's mayor, Femke Halsema, on Friday.
Mme Halsema, who said “furious”reported people who beat supporters of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel-Aviv before fleeing, with “hooligans on scooters”, looking for Israeli supporters. “I understand very well that this is reminiscent of pogroms,” she added.
Amsterdam is “deeply damaged”declared the mayor, “the war in the Middle East also threatens peace in our city”.
According to Amsterdam Police Chief Peter Holla, the police were “prepared as much as possible” but could not prevent the violence despite the deployment of more than 800 agents, reports Volkskrant. “It is extremely difficult to act against this type of lightning actions, widespread throughout the city”explained Mr. Holla, who then declared that “Israeli fans have experienced moments of anguish. They were deliberately attacked”.
According to the police, “the perpetrators were guilty of several serious attacks”. Five injured people were treated in hospital, 30 to 40 other lightly injured people were treated in Amstelveen. All the injured have now left the hospital.
“As of this afternoon, an emergency order applies to Amsterdam and Amstelveen. The entire city is designated as a security risk zone »according to the Dutch daily, live from the press conference. “This weekend, demonstrations are prohibited, clothing covering the face is prohibited, and the municipality is deploying additional police officers. »
“What happened is a shame for Amsterdam. We are not doing well internationally”declared the mayor of the city.
At the same time, “after an assessment of the situation”the Israeli army banned all its personnel from traveling to the Netherlands « until further notice »she said in a press release.
“What happened in Amsterdam is unacceptable. This is the large-scale deployment of anti-Semitism”for his part added the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, on the sidelines of a visit to Marseille.
