Rioters ‘actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack’ after Amsterdam match

‘Antisemitic’ rioters ‘actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack’ after a football match in Amsterdam, according to authorities.

Five people were admitted to hospital and 62 arrested on Thursday night as a result of violence that has been condemned by leaders of both the Netherlands and Israel.

The riots followed a Europa League game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Attacks included ‘scooter hit-and-runs’, the city’s mayor Femke Halsema confirmed at a press conference on Friday.

Ms Femke said the violence was ‘against everything we’re proud of in Amsterdam,’ adding: ‘I’m very ashamed of the behaviour that was shown last night. This is nothing like Amsterdam.’

She said it brought to mind attacks on Jews in European history, including Kristallnacht in 1939, the anniversary of which is Saturday.

Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla, who also spoke at the conference, said Maccabi supporters attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire on Wednesday, the day before the widespread attacks on Israelis.

A reporter at the conference also spoke of racist chants from Maccabi supporters, which can be seen in the video below.

Benjamin Netanyahu had initially ordered two ‘rescue planes’ to fetch fans, but his office have reportedly said these have now been cancelled, with supporters advised to take civilian planes home.

A statement issued by the Dutch capital’s municipality, police and prosecution office said the night ‘was very turbulent with several incidents of violence aimed at Maccabi supporters’.

It added: ‘In several places in the city, supporters were attacked. The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels. Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters have been injured.

‘This outburst of violence toward Israeli supporters is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way. There is no excuse for the antisemitic behavior exhibited last night by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them.’

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X that he followed reports of the violence ‘with horror’.

‘Completely unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with everyone involved,’ he added, saying that he had spoken to Mr Netanyahu and ’emphasised that the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted. It is now quiet in the capital’.

The mayor had banned a pro-Palestine demonstration planned near the stadium ahead of the game due to the likelihood that the event would spark violence.

On Wednesday evening, Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were filmed cheering as a large Palestinian flag was taken down from a building in the city centre, while a clash between fans and a group of taxi drivers was also reported.

One person who attended the pro-Palestine demonstration before police intervened told Dutch broadcaster AT5 that the video which showed Maccabi Tel Aviv fans removing the Palestinian flag had ’caused a lot of anger’.

Ajax fans were angered moments before kick-off inside Johan Cruyff Arena as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s supporters disrupted a minute’s silence which was held in memory of the victims of the deadly floods in Valencia.

Dutch police escorted Maccabi Tel Aviv’s supporters from the stadium to busses and train stations after the match but several videos on social media have emerged which show isolated Israelis being attacked on the streets.

In one video, one man cowering on the floor is heard pleading, ‘I’ll give you money, please go’, while the person standing over him shouts, ‘free Palestine, you want to kill kids?’.

In another video, a man is laying motionless on the pavement while he is kicked by two different people.

A 30-year-old Maccabi Tel Aviv supporter told Israeli outlet Ynet: ‘They are everywhere. No police, complete chaos. Everything was pre-arranged. The police here abandoned us.

‘Every fourth person walking the street is a Muslim who has come to attack Jews. Me and several hundred other fans are besieged in the hotel, the police don’t allow us to leave. They just want to fly home.’

A statement from Netanyahu’s office confirmed that two passenger planes are being sent to Amsterdam to help Israelis travel home.

‘The Prime Minister views this horrific incident with great severity and demands that the Dutch government and security forces act firmly and quickly against the rioters, and ensure the safety of our citizens,’ the statement added.

FlightRadar shows two planes en route from Tel Aviv to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam which are due to land shortly before 8am local time on Friday morning.

Israel’s incoming Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, wrote on X: ‘We are in contact with the authorities in the Netherlands about the serious events there. Any Israeli or Jew who is currently in distress or has information and location about a violent event that is currently taking place – please contact the emergency hotline: 0097225303155.’

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, wrote on X: ‘We are receiving very disturbing reports of extreme violence against Israelis and Jews on the streets of Holland.

‘There is a pogrom currently taking place in Europe in 2024. These are the true faces of the supporters of the radical terrorism we are fighting. The western world needs to wake up now!! This is the time when the UN should immediately and clearly condemn the violence of the Palestinians and their supporters. The Dutch authorities must take decisive action against terrorism now.’

All those taken to hospital as a result of the violence have now been discharged, said authorities. Ten people remain in custody, including adults and two minors.

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