Israeli fans attacked, racist chants… What happened after the Europa League match?

Recap Clashes broke out in the Netherlands after Thursday evening’s Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Dutch police reported 5 injured hospitalized and 62 arrests.

Israeli supporters attacked, racist chants against the Palestinians, minute of silence whistled… The Europa League evening turned into chaos on Thursday November 7 after the match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Amsterdam. Here is a summary of what happened.

• What happened Thursday evening in Amsterdam?

Tensions were increasing. Thursday evening, Ajax Amsterdam hosted Maccabi Tel-Aviv at home in a Europa League match. Even before the match begins, the atmosphere is heavy, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict looming large over this sporting event.

The Amsterdam police then said “particularly vigilant” on his X account, reporting several incidents such as a Palestinian flag torn from a facade “by strangers”. A taxi driver was also attacked by Maccabi supporters, reports Dutch radio RTL News.

In the afternoon, around a hundred Israeli supporters gathered on Dam Square, surrounded by a large police force, before going to the Johan Cruyff stadium, in the southwest of the Dutch capital. Journalists were able to hear anti-Arab chants and chants glorifying the Israeli army with lyrics such as “There are no schools in Gaza because there are no more children” or even “end to the Arabs”.

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 Amsterdam town hall for security reasons.

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At the start of the match, in the stadium, a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the floods in Valencia, Spain, was whistled by Maccabi supporters, according to several videos from Internet users. Spain officially recognized the State of Palestine last May.

But it was at the end of the match – won 5-0 by Ajax Amsterdam – that the physical violence broke out. Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters are attacked. On certain videos broadcast on social networks, we see them forced to say “liberate Palestine!” » to escape violence.

Police protected and escorted Israeli supporters to their hotel, according to footage broadcast by local media outlet AT5. “A large number of vehicles from the mobile unit are present and reinforcements have also been called. Young people also allegedly provoked the police”described AT5.

“There were riots, especially in Dam Square”a spokesperson for the riot police told RTL News last night. Before adding: “We cannot tell who belongs to whom, the groups are not easy to distinguish from each other, they almost all wear dark clothes. »

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This Friday morning, Dutch police said they had made 62 arrests overnight and reported five people hospitalized without providing additional details on the clashes. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof immediately condemned the “anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis” in Amsterdam, in a message posted on his X account.

“I am in close contact with all those concerned” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “insisted on the fact that the perpetrators of these acts must be sought and prosecuted”said Dick Schoof, adding that calm had returned to the Dutch capital.

The mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema, for her part, denounced Friday noon a “explosion of anti-Semitism” Who “hadn’t been seen for a long time” and announced increased security measures in the city.

• What was the Israeli reaction?

Faced with these scenes of extreme violence, the Israeli authorities rebelled. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he considered “the appalling incident with the greatest seriousness” et “demand (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 provide assistance to Israeli supporters, while the Israeli army has indicated for its part that it is preparing “a rescue mission” including a cargo plane as well as medical teams.

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“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.” A ministry spokeswoman confirmed that the two countries discussed Israel’s request to send two planes “to recover Israeli civilians”.

• What are the reactions in France and internationally?

In France, we are watching yesterday evening’s clashes with concern. And for good reason: Thursday, November 14, the French team must face Israel as part of the fifth day of the Nations League at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis.

The French right and extreme right condemned this Friday morning the “unleashing of anti-Semitic violence” against Israeli supporters. “We must be implacable in the face of this outbreak of anti-Semitic violence which defiles and dishonors Europe”wrote on X the leader of the RN deputies, Marine Le Pen. “Hatred of Jews is spreading like wildfire in several European countries, carried by the incendiary rhetoric of the far left”she added.

“If there were attacks or kidnappings, they are unacceptable”commented for his part the coordinator of La France insoumise Manuel Bompard on Cnews/Europe 1, asking for the cancellation of the League of Nations match which is to pit France against Israel on Thursday at the Stade de France.

A request to which the Minister of the Interior does not intend to give in. “Some are calling for the France-Israel match to be relocated. I do not accept it: France is not backing down because that would amount to abdicating in the face of threats of violence and anti-Semitism”posted Bruno Retailleau on his X account.

“At my request, the police prefect Laurent Nunez is making the necessary security arrangements for this match to take place at the Stade de France, as usual”he added.

Internationally, a spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights spoke “very disturbed” after the clashes. “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”declared Jeremy Laurence, questioned about this violence during a regular UN press briefing in Geneva.

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The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for her part said “outraged” by these “despicable attacks”. “Anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in Europe. And we are determined to fight all forms of hatred”reacted the head of the European executive on the social network