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Amsterdam rioters targeted Israeli fans in 'explosion of antisemitism', mayor says We must not turn blind eye to antisemitism, says Dutch king after attacks on Israeli football fans
(about 3 hours later)
Dozens arrested after post-match violence in AmsterdamDozens arrested after post-match violence in Amsterdam
The mayor of Amsterdam has condemned what she called an "explosion of antisemitism" in the city, during which Israeli football fans came under violent attack from local rioters. King Willem-Alexander has said Jewish people must feel safe in the Netherlands, after a night of antisemitic rioting targeted Israeli football fans in the centre of Amsterdam.
Femke Halsema said youths on scooters had criss-crossed the Dutch capital on Thursday night on the hunt for Israeli supporters in a "hit-and-run". Youths on scooters had criss-crossed the Dutch capital searching for supporters in "hit-and-run" attacks against Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters who were visiting Amsterdam for a Europa League match, the city's mayor said.
The police chief said five fans had been taken to hospital and as many as 30 others had suffered minor injuries. Prosecutors said a total of 62 people were arrested. Eight men and two minors were still in custody on Friday. Police said five people were treated in hospital and others suffered minor injuries, while 62 arrests had been made.
Supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv had travelled to Amsterdam for a Europa League match against Ajax which passed off peacefully. The king spoke of a lesson from history and said "we cannot turn a blind eye to antisemitic behaviour on our streets".
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"Antisemitic, hateful rioters and criminals yesterday and last night have attacked Jewish visitors visiting our city," Halsema told a press conference on Friday. "My heart goes out to the victims and to their families here and in Israel as well." Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema told a press conference on Friday.
"My heart goes out to the victims and to their families here and in Israel as well." Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof flew back early from a summit of EU leaders in Budapest where he said he had been following developments with horror.
Ahead of the match, there had already been some trouble and arrests in Dam Square involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters. "The perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted," he promised.
Police chief Peter Holla confirmed there had been incidents "on both sides" the previous night. He said Maccabi supporters had removed a Palestinian flag from the wall of a building and set it alight, but that there had been no further trouble until the following night. Coming on the eve of commemorations marking the Nazi pogroms against Germany's Jews in 1938, the events that unfolded overnight into Friday were condemned by leaders in Germany and France, and led to shock in Israel.
There had already been trouble and some arrests the night before Thursday's match, involving Maccabi fans as well as pro-Palestinian protesters.
Police chief Peter Holla confirmed there had been incidents "on both sides". Israeli supporters had removed a Palestinian flag from a wall and set it alight and attacked taxi, although there had been no further trouble until the following night, he said.
There were also reports of supporters setting off fireworks and one unverified video showed fans going down an escalator chanting anti-Arab slogans.There were also reports of supporters setting off fireworks and one unverified video showed fans going down an escalator chanting anti-Arab slogans.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he had been following developments from an EU leaders' summit with horror, adding that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He emphasised that the "perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted". There was widespread shock that such an outbreak of antisemitism could happen in the Dutch capital, especially on the eve of the Nazi pogroms. Three-quarters of Dutch Jews were murdered in World War Two.
The night of violence came on the eve of commemorations marking the Nazis' pogrom against Jews across Germany in November 1938, and there was widespread shock that such an outbreak of antisemitism could happen in the Dutch capital. Three-quarters of Dutch Jews were murdered in World War Two. The king said history had shown how intimidation could go from bad to worse, with terrible consequences: "Jews must feel safe in the Netherlands, everywhere and at all times. We put our arms around them and will not let them go.”
King Willem-Alexander said Dutch history had shown how intimidation could go from bad to worse, with terrible consequences: "Jews must feel safe in the Netherlands, everywhere and at all times. We put our arms around them and will not let them go.”
The national co-ordinator for combating antisemitism in the Netherlands said a line had been crossed and the "readiness to commit such violence was disgusting".The national co-ordinator for combating antisemitism in the Netherlands said a line had been crossed and the "readiness to commit such violence was disgusting".
Femke Halsema said Dutch counter-terror co-ordinator NCTV had not flagged any concrete threat about the game itself as there was no animosity between the fans of the two clubs. There was no trouble at the game in which Ajax inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat on the visiting team. Mayor Halsema said Dutch counter-terror co-ordinator NCTV had not flagged any concrete threat about the game itself as there was no animosity between the fans of the two clubs. There was no trouble at the game in which Ajax inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat on the visiting team.
But the unrest spiralled out of control soon afterwards. Halsema spoke of fans being "attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks" as they walked from the Johan Cruyff Arena to the centre of Amsterdam.But the unrest spiralled out of control soon afterwards. Halsema spoke of fans being "attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks" as they walked from the Johan Cruyff Arena to the centre of Amsterdam.
Police initially said it was unclear who had taken part in the riots, although the mayor later spoke of young men on scooters. The mayor was careful not to give details about the ethnic backgrounds of those involved in the attack, emphasising that it was part of the police investigation.Police initially said it was unclear who had taken part in the riots, although the mayor later spoke of young men on scooters. The mayor was careful not to give details about the ethnic backgrounds of those involved in the attack, emphasising that it was part of the police investigation.
Several videos have circulated on social media, with one showing a man being kicked and beaten on the ground and another showing someone being run over. In some videos, people could be heard shouting pro-Palestinian slogans, although the footage was not verified by the BBC. Several videos circulated on social media, with one showing a man being kicked and beaten on the ground and another showing someone being run over. In some videos, people could be heard shouting pro-Palestinian slogans, although the footage was not verified by the BBC.
Asked whether locals had been provoked by a Palestinian flag being torn down in the city, the mayor said what had happened in the centre of her city had nothing to do with protests about the situation in the Middle East, it was a crime.Asked whether locals had been provoked by a Palestinian flag being torn down in the city, the mayor said what had happened in the centre of her city had nothing to do with protests about the situation in the Middle East, it was a crime.
"I am deeply ashamed of the behaviour that unfolded," Halsema told reporters. "On Telegram [messaging] groups people talked of going to hunt down Jews. It's so terrible I can't find the words for it.""I am deeply ashamed of the behaviour that unfolded," Halsema told reporters. "On Telegram [messaging] groups people talked of going to hunt down Jews. It's so terrible I can't find the words for it."
Riot police had to put up a security cordon around a bus carrying Israeli supportersRiot police had to put up a security cordon around a bus carrying Israeli supporters
Police chief Peter Holla said he had been deeply shocked with the events of the past 35 hours, insisting they had prepared for this period for weeks.
The mayor confirmed reports that taxi drivers had been involved in the attacks, after the head of the Netherlands' Central Jewish Committee (CJO) said they had "moved in groups and cornered their targets".The mayor confirmed reports that taxi drivers had been involved in the attacks, after the head of the Netherlands' Central Jewish Committee (CJO) said they had "moved in groups and cornered their targets".
Chanan Hertzberger said "videos are circulating of assaults and attempts to run over Israelis". Amsterdam's biggest taxi company said its drivers had not been involved.Chanan Hertzberger said "videos are circulating of assaults and attempts to run over Israelis". Amsterdam's biggest taxi company said its drivers had not been involved.
Israeli airline El Al said it was operating two "rescue flights" to Amsterdam to bring passengers back to Israel. The Israeli prime minister had earlier cancelled plans to send two military planes. Israeli airline El Al said it was operating two "rescue flights" to Amsterdam to bring passengers back to Israel.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of a "pogrom" against Maccabi fans and Israeli citizens. Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders who leads the biggest party in parliament also spoke of a pogrom, saying "authorities will be held accountable for their failure to protect the Israeli citizens".Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of a "pogrom" against Maccabi fans and Israeli citizens. Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders who leads the biggest party in parliament also spoke of a pogrom, saying "authorities will be held accountable for their failure to protect the Israeli citizens".
Herzog said on X that he trusted the Dutch authorities would act immediately to "protect, locate and rescue all Israelis and Jews under attack".Herzog said on X that he trusted the Dutch authorities would act immediately to "protect, locate and rescue all Israelis and Jews under attack".
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