Anti-Semitic rioters target Israeli football fans as chaos rages in Amsterdam

Dutch authorities said dozens of arrests were made after anti-Semitic rioters “actively sought out Israeli fans to attack” following a football match in Amsterdam.

Officers arrested 62 people in the Dutch capital following chaos at a football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Five people were hospitalized following the violent incidents during the match between the two teams at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where Ajax won 5-0.

Israel had initially announced plans to send military planes to Amsterdam to fly fans home, but later decided to send two commercial planes instead.

Images shared on social media show football fans lowering the Palestinian flag in the center of Amsterdam. Anti-Arab chants were also heard.

Other videos show crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.

In a statement issued by Amsterdam police and prosecutors, it was stated that the night was “very turbulent due to numerous violent incidents against Maccabi fans”.

The statement said, “Fans were attacked in various parts of the city.”

“The police had to intervene repeatedly, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels. Despite the heavy police presence in the city, Israeli supporters were injured.

“This outburst of violence against Israeli supporters is unacceptable and indefensible in any way.

“There can be no excuse for the antisemitic behavior exhibited last night by the rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and attack.”

The first arrests took place hours before the match, when Israeli fans gathered in the city centre.

Further arrests occurred later during a planned demonstration against the arrival of Tel Aviv team players and after hooligans targeted Israeli fans after the match.

Dutch police said they were aware of reports of a possible hostage situation but had received no confirmation that it had actually occurred. They said some people reported missing have now been found.

Police said Maccabi Tel Aviv fans gathered in Dam Square in the afternoon before the game, where about 10 people were arrested for crimes including disturbing public order.

Meanwhile, a pro-Palestinian demonstration was planned to be held in Anton de Komplein square, about a 15-minute walk from the Johan Cruyff Arena. Local authorities had banned organizers from holding the demonstration on the ground.

Some of this group tried to get to the ground but were stopped by riot police and pelted with fireworks.

The statement stated that approximately 30 people were arrested in or near the arena, most of them for disrupting public order and carrying or lighting fireworks.

Police said that the fans left the hall without incident after the match, but clashes broke out in the city center throughout the night.

Videos posted on social media show crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.

Ugly scenes resurface worst memories of antisemitism in Europe

The scenes of Israeli football fans being chased, beaten and kicked to the ground in Amsterdam on Thursday night were outrageous.

Some videos show fans being stopped and forced to show their passports.

The worst memories of anti-Semitism in Europe are resurfacing, especially on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, in 1938, when the Nazis launched a series of pogroms against Jews.

Senior Israeli politicians condemned last night’s violence as an organized pogrom and called on Dutch authorities to arrest those responsible. 62 people have been detained so far.

The Dutch prime minister said the attacks were “completely unacceptable”.

There was tension in the evening. Videos circulating on social media and confirmed by Sky News show Maccabi Tel Aviv fans tearing down Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Arab slogans ahead of the match.

There were also reports that Israeli fans were booed in the stadium during a minute’s silence for flood victims in Valencia.

The Israeli military has confirmed it is no longer sending rescue flights to Amsterdam as announced by Benjamin Netanyahu, but Israeli aircraft carriers have been given permission to fly on Shabbat later tonight if necessary.

It is reported that Israel’s new foreign minister, Gideon Saar, also went to the Dutch city to meet with officials.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Friday morning: Israeli prime minister He was briefed on the details of a “very violent incident” that occurred in Amsterdam.

IsraelThe prime minister’s office added that the national security ministry had appealed to its citizens in the Dutch city to stay in hotels.

Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in his post on the

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a post on channel X that he “followed the news from Amsterdam with disgust.”

He said he had been in contact with Mr. Netanyahu about the incident and that the city was now “calm.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote about in the heart of.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her post about X that she was “outraged by last night’s vile attacks.”

“I strongly condemn these unacceptable actions,” he added. “Anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in Europe. We are determined to fight all forms of hatred.”