At least 5 hospitalized, 62 arrested in attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam
Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were attacked and assaulted in several places in Amsterdam after the football club’s match against Ajax on Thursday, mayor Femke Halsema confirmed on Friday morning. Five people were taken to the hospital and 62 people were arrested, the police said. NOS said that hospitals reported seven hospitalizations. The city authorities will hold a press conference with more information at noon.
According to the police, reports are circulating on social media regarding a possible hostage situation and missing persons. “We currently have no confirmation that this actually took place,” the Amsterdam police said on X. The police are investigating.
“Riot police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters, and escort them to hotels,” Halsema said. “Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters have been injured.”
“This outburst of violence towards 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,” Halsema said. She urged victims to report to the police and file a report.
The city is deploying extra police in the coming days “to monitor and control the situation.” Jewish institutions and objects will also get extra security.
The football club Maccabi Tel Aviv has urged its supporters to be careful in the Dutch capital, stay inside, and not wear anything that identifies them as Jewish or Israeli. According to the club, it is working with the Israeli government to arrange “rescue flights” for fans.
Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, expressed “deep concern” and solidarity with the victims of the “unprovoked attack on Jews following the Maccabi Tel Aviv game in Amsterdam.” The organization called it “profoundly alarming to witness yet another act of violence targeting Jewish people,” especially with the anniversary of Kristallnacht coming up. “This incident underscores the alarming resurgence of antisemitism, a cancerous plague that has infiltrated every aspect of our society.”
Prime Minister Dick Schoof has condemned the “anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens” and said he spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu about the matter. Netanyahu spoke of “extremely violent” attacks on his citizens.
