Amsterdam: Israeli fans attacked after a match

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam on Friday morning to rescue Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters after clashes led to dozens of arrests on the sidelines of a Europa League match.

“The Prime Minister ordered the immediate dispatch of two relief planes to help our citizens,” according to a statement from his office, specifying that Mr. Netanyahu considered “the appalling incident with the greatest seriousness.” The first plane took off from Ben Gurion in the morning and is expected in Amsterdam early in the afternoon.

Clashes broke out overnight in the center of Amsterdam, following the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv and won by the Dutch club (5-0).

“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 local media AT5. Police protected and escorted Israeli supporters to their hotel, according to footage shared by AT5.

62 arrests

Police said Friday morning that they had made 62 arrests overnight during the clashes, which left at least five injured.

“So far, we know that five people have been taken to hospital and that 62 people have been arrested,” Amsterdam police said on X. She indicated Thursday that she was “particularly vigilant” on her X account , after reporting several incidents, including a Palestinian flag torn from a facade “by unknown persons”.

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, southwest of the Dutch capital.

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.

The new head of Israeli diplomacy, Gideon Saar, will shortly go to Amsterdam for an “urgent diplomatic visit”, his services announced on Friday.

“Latest news”

Want to stay on top of the news? “Tribune de Genève” offers you two meetings per day, directly in your email box. So you don’t miss anything that’s happening in your canton, in Switzerland or around the world.

Other newsletters

Log in

AFP/Laura Manent

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments