what we know about the violence against Israeli supporters after a Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel-Aviv

Several people were injured in clashes on Thursday, November 7, on the sidelines of the Europa League football match between the city club, Ajax Amsterdam, and Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Five people were briefly hospitalized, according to Dutch police, who made 62 arrests. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, denounced a “terrible accident” and dispatched repatriation planes, while the Amsterdam town hall denounced a “explosion of anti-Semitism”.

Five people hospitalized briefly, 62 arrests after nighttime clashes

“The night after the football match (…) was very eventful with several violent incidents targeting Maccabi supporters” in several places in the city, Dutch authorities reported Friday morning. “The police had to intervene on several occasions, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to their hotels. Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters were injured »added the same source, announcing the opening of an investigation.

Five people were briefly hospitalized, according to police. Of the 62 people arrested, ten – including two minors – are still in detention, according to the Dutch Attorney General, René de Beukelaer. During the joint press conference of the Amsterdam city hall, police and public prosecutor's office, Mr. de Beukelaer declared that the ten suspects would be tried “during an accelerated trial as quickly as possible”.

Several videos, verified by The Worldshow clashes in front of Amsterdam Central Station; other images show people being violently beaten.

“Incidents on both sides” before the match, according to police

Widely deployed on Thursday before the match, the Dutch police were on alert after a Palestinian flag was torn down the day before from a facade on a major avenue in the city center. “The violence had already started on Wednesday evening between supporters. It was a night with incidents on both sides. Maccabi supporters removed a flag from a facade of the Rokin and destroyed a taxi. A Palestinian flag was set on fire at the dam »Peter Holla, the police chief in Amsterdam, said on Friday.

The videos that The World was able to identify show a man tearing a Palestinian flag from a facade, while a group of people shout « Fuck you Palestine ». On another, we hear chants from Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters: “Let the IDF win to finish off the Arabs.”

Thursday afternoon, around a hundred Israeli supporters gathered on Dam Square, surrounded by a large police force, before going to the Johan Cruyff stadium in Amsterdam. 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 the town hall for security reasons.

Israel reacts strongly and dispatches repatriation planes

In Israel, the authorities reacted very strongly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying they were considering “the appalling incident with the greatest seriousness” et ” require [des autorités néerlandaises] to act vigorously and quickly against the rioters”.

The Israeli army announced a ban on all its personnel from traveling to the Netherlands “until further notice”. A first plane carrying Israelis evacuated from Amsterdam landed Friday afternoon at Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion International Airport, Israeli airport authorities announced. According to the Israeli company El Al, three evacuation flights are planned for Friday afternoon, plus two regular flights.

The head of Israeli diplomacy, Gideon Saar, who must urgently go to Amsterdam, spoke with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, ​​asking that the Dutch authorities ensure the security of supporters for their transfer to the airport.

Clashes described as an “explosion of anti-Semitism” by the mayor of Amsterdam, international outrage

The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, who announced a strengthening of security measures as well as a temporary ban on demonstrations in the capital, denounced a “explosion of anti-Semitism” Who “hadn’t been seen for a long time.” For his part, the Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, denounced a “terrible anti-Semitic attack”. “I am deeply ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands in 2024”he declared during a brief statement to the press in Budapest on the sidelines of a European summit. “We will not tolerate it (…) We will pursue the perpetrators.”he added.

In France, Emmanuel Macron condemned “firmly” this violence “which recall the most shameful hours of history”he wrote on X. “France will continue to fight relentlessly against odious anti-Semitism”assured the head of state. The French Minister for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, urged people not to show“no weakness, no cowardice in the face of anti-Semitism”denouncing on “a hunt for Jews on European soil”.

The former Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, president of the Macronist group in the National Assembly, also commented on “horrifying images” who confirm “that the most unbridled anti-Semitism is taking place” In “our Western societies”. Laurent Wauquiez, president of the group of deputies La Droite Républicaine, spoke about “a pogrom (…) in the streets of a European capital”. The far right was among the first to react. “We must be implacable in the face of this outbreak of anti-Semitic violence which defiles and dishonors Europe”wrote the leader of the RN deputies, Marine Le Pen. “If there were attacks (…), they are unacceptable”commented Manuel Bompard on Cnews/Europe 1, the coordinator of La France insoumise (LFI), ensuring that he had seen “also circulate images” of “racist provocations” from Israeli supporters.

The UN and the EU have also expressed their outrage. “We have seen this very disturbing information. No one should be subjected to discrimination or violence on the basis of their national, religious, ethnic or other origin”Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Friday.

For her part, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she “outraged” by these “despicable attacks” et “unacceptable”. “Anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in Europe”reacted the head of the European executive on X.

The holding of the France-Israel match scheduled for Thursday at the Stade de France under debate

A question is now on everyone's lips: should we maintain the League of Nations match which will pit France against Israel on Thursday at the Stade de France? Manuel Bompard on Cnews/Europe 1, and other voices notably at LFI, are calling for its cancellation. Others instead propose its relocation.

Give up “would amount to abdicating in the face of threats of violence and anti-Semitism”replied the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau on “take the necessary security measures” to keep it at the Stade de France. “With all the necessary security measures to avoid a night of violence, Bruno Retailleau is right to want to maintain the match”estimated the LR president of the Hauts-de-France region, Xavier Bertrand.