Clashes broke out on the night of Thursday November 7 to Friday November 8, 2024 on the sidelines of the Football match between the Dutch team Ajax and the Israeli team Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced anti-Semitic acts and ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam, where the meeting was taking place, to rescue supporters. Political reactions follow one another. Here's what we know this Friday morning.
A tension that rose all day Thursday
The Europa League football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv was already shaping up to be electric: pro-Palestinian activists had planned rallies against the arrival of the Israeli club, in a particularly tense context of war in Gaza . The Amsterdam police indicated during the day that they were “particularly vigilant” on his X account, after reporting several incidents, including a Palestinian flag torn from a facade “by strangers”.
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, reports theAFP. 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 Amsterdam town hall, for security reasons.
Violent clashes in Amsterdam after the match
The night was punctuated by numerous incidents. After the match, during which Amsterdam won 5-0, numerous clashes broke out. Amsterdam police, cited by the Dutch agency ANPindicated that it had made 57 arrests during several incidents on the sidelines of the football match, without giving details of the facts.
Clashes also broke out in the city center after the match. Videos posted on social media showed crowds moving in the streets and a man being beaten. According to local media AT5, “a large number of mobile unit vehicles [étaient] present and reinforcements were also called. Young people also allegedly provoked the police. » In images shared by the media, we can see riot police intervening with police dogs. Israeli fans had to be escorted to their hotel.
RTL Netherlands reports that a taxi driver was allegedly attacked by Israeli supporters. In return, a group of drivers confronted Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters near a casino in the city. Police officers had to intervene.
Israel denounces anti-Semitic acts and sends aid
The Israeli authorities reacted very strongly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying they considered “the appalling incident with the greatest seriousness” et ” require [des autorités néerlandaises] to act vigorously and quickly against the rioters”.
“Fans who went to watch a football match faced anti-Semitism and were attacked with unimaginable cruelty simply because they were Jewish and Israeli”said Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof denounced these “Totally unacceptable anti-Semitic acts against Israelis”adding to be in contact with Benyamin Netanyahu. The perpetrators of these acts will be prosecuted, he said.
The Israeli military said it was preparing to immediately send a rescue mission in coordination with the Dutch government. “A cargo plane will be used and medical and rescue teams will participate”the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said.
Crif president denounces “mass lynching”
Israeli football fans suffered “a mass lynching”denounced Friday on BFMTV the president of Crif, Yonathan Arfi, saying his ” worry “ and its ” anger “.
A France – Israel match on November 14 at the Stade de France
On Monday, November 4, pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested briefly and peacefully in the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris, demanding the cancellation of the France – Israel match which is to be held next Thursday, November 14.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau judged “unacceptable” the giant tifo on which was written the words “Free Palestine”, deployed on Wednesday by the main group of Paris Saint-Germain supporters during the fourth day of the Champions League against Atlético de Madrid, while UEFA assured that the club would not be sanctioned.
The president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, and the general director of the Parisian club, Victoriano Melero, are summoned this Friday morning to the Ministry of the Interior.
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