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Israeli football fans attacked in Amsterdam, officials say Rioters in Amsterdam targeted Israeli fans in 'explosion of antisemitism'
(about 3 hours later)
Dozens arrested after post-match violence in AmsterdamDozens arrested after post-match violence in Amsterdam
Israeli football fans have faced a series of attacks in the centre of Amsterdam, officials say, with riot police having to intervene several times to protect them. 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.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned "antisemitic attacks" and Israel's military spoke of "severe and violent incidents against Israelis". 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".
Amsterdam's mayor and authorities said that despite a massive police presence, Israeli fans had been injured in several parts of the Dutch capital. 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.
Supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv had travelled to Amsterdam for a Europa League match against Ajax. Supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv had travelled to Amsterdam for a Europa League match against Ajax which passed off peacefully,
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Are you in Amsterdam? Please share your experiences here.Are you in Amsterdam? Please share your experiences here.
Amsterdam police said they had begun an investigation into numerous violent incidents and that 62 people had been arrested. "Antisemitic, hateful rioters and criminals yesterday and last night have attacked Jewish visitors visiting our city," Halsema told a press conference on Friday.
Five people had been taken to hospital for treatment, police said, and they were aware of reports of a "possible hostage situation" as well as people unaccounted for, but there had been no confirmation of that. "My heart goes out to the victims and to their families here and in Israel as well."
Dick Schoof said he had followed developments with horror, adding that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasised that the "perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted". Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said earlier 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".
The national co-ordinator for combating antisemitism in the Netherlands, meanwhile, said a line had been crossed and the "readiness to commit such violence was disgusting". 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.
The head of the Netherlands' Central Jewish Committee (CJO) accused taxi drivers of helping to whip up the violence. "They moved in groups and cornered their targets. Videos are circulating of assaults and attempts to run over Israelis," Chanan Hertzberger said. 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".
Israeli airline El Al said it was operating two "rescue flights" to Amsterdam to bring passengers back to Israel. That was after after Netanyahu cancelled plans to send two military planes.
There had already been arrests and trouble in Dam Square ahead of the match involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters, and there were reports of supporters setting off fireworks and tearing down a Palestinian flag on a nearby street. One unverified video showed fans going down an escalator chanting anti-Arab slogans.There had already been arrests and trouble in Dam Square ahead of the match involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters, and there were reports of supporters setting off fireworks and tearing down a Palestinian flag on a nearby street. One unverified video showed fans going down an escalator chanting anti-Arab slogans.
But the unrest grew after the game. Police said it was unclear who had taken part in the riots, telling local media that those involved were wearing dark clothing. 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.
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 has not been verified by the BBC. 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.
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". 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.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema had earlier sought to prevent trouble by moving pro-Palestinian protesters away from the Johan Cruyff Arena. But Dutch reports said a large group had then tried to head to the stadium, only to be stopped by riot police. 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.
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."
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".
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 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".
Israeli officials urged citizens to remain in their hotels and public broadcaster Kan quoted the foreign ministry as saying it had lost contact with three people.
The US special envoy on antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt, said she was horrified by the attacks in Amsterdam, which were "terribly reminiscent of a classic pogrom" and that she was deeply disturbed by how long they had lasted.
She pointed out that the violence had taken place two days before the anniversary of the Nazi pogrom against Jews in Germany in November 1938.
The Dutch co-ordinator against antisemitism said that images on the eve of the 1938 commemorations were both "horrific and shameful".
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