Israeli supporters were attacked in Amsterdam (Netherlands) during the night from Thursday to Friday, on the sidelines of a Europa League match.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the dispatch of relief planes.
Israeli supporters attacked. Violence broke out on the night of Thursday to Friday, in the city center of Amsterdam (Netherlands), a few hours after the football match between Ajax and the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, in the Europa League. According to amateur footage, fans of the visiting club were chased through the streets to their hotel. Here's what we know.
Five people hospitalized, 62 arrests
Clashes broke out overnight in the center of the Dutch city, following the match won by the local club (5-0). The police reported this Friday morning that five people were hospitalized. According to Israeli media (new window)passports were also stolen. “A large number of vehicles from the mobile unit are present and reinforcements have also been called. Young people are said to have provoked the police”described local media AT5. Police protected and escorted Israeli supporters to their hotel, according to footage shared by AT5.
Shortly before, she had indicated that she was “particularly vigilant” after reporting several incidents, including a Palestinian flag (new window) torn from a facade “by strangers”. A total of 62 arrests were made during the day. In the afternoon, around a hundred Israeli supporters gathered on Dam Square – surrounded by a large police force – before going to the stadium.
Israel sends relief
The head of the Israeli government Benjamin Netanyahu imposed early this Friday morning the sending of two planes to Amsterdam to rescue supporters. “The Prime Minister ordered the immediate dispatch of two relief planes to help our citizens”according to a press release from his services, specifying that he considered this “terrible incident with the greatest seriousness”.
The first plane aimed at repatriating Israelis took off from Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv's international airport, airport authorities announced this Friday shortly after 10 a.m. The aircraft is expected in Amsterdam early this afternoon.
Israeli president denounces “pogrom”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced a “anti-Semitic pogrom”. “We see with horror this morning the shocking images and videos that, since October 7, we had hoped never to see again: an ongoing anti-Semitic pogrom against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam.”lamented the head of state on social networks.
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Amsterdam: Israeli supporters attacked, Netanyahu sends two “rescue” planes
Benyamin Netanyahu had previously denounced a “premeditated anti-Semitic attack” and declared, during a telephone interview with his Dutch counterpart, Dick Schoo, “that he demanded increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands”.
