The mayor of Amsterdam has reported enhanced security measures in the city following a night of violence deemed anti-Semitic by officials, despite evidence of provocative chanting from Israeli fans.
Israel dispatched commercial flights to the Netherlands to repatriate Israeli soccer fans, with the inaugural flight arriving in Tel Aviv this afternoon.
According to police, five individuals were hospitalized in Amsterdam, and 62 were arrested due to the disturbances.
Currently, ten people remain in custody.
Nevertheless, some footage also depicted Israeli supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans prior to last evening’s match.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema stated that supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv were “attacked, abused and struck with fireworks” and that riot police stepped in to safeguard them and escort them to hotels.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two rescue flights to be sent to the Netherlands following the violence, with videos circulating on social media illustrating street clashes overnight and the intervention of riot police.
Security protocols were heightened in the city, where hundreds gathered yesterday to commemorate Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom against Jews across Germany on 9-10 November 1938.
Since Israel initiated its assault on Gaza after the attacks by the Palestinian Hamas group on 7 October 2023, anti-Semitic incidents in the Netherlands have escalated, with numerous Jewish organizations and schools reporting threats and hate mail.
Gaza health officials report that over 43,000 Palestinians have died and 102,000 others have been injured as a result of Israel’s military offensive, following the Palestinian militant group’s attacks that led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of more than 250 hostages, according to Israel.
Netanyahu’s office stated that the decision to dispatch the planes followed “a very violent incident” directed at Israeli citizens after the match between Maccabi and Ajax Amsterdam, which is traditionally recognized as a Jewish club.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has requested the Dutch government to assist Israeli citizens in reaching the airport safely, conveyed in a telephone conversation with his Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp this morning.
A video verified by Reuters illustrated a group of men running near Amsterdam Central Station, chasing and assaulting others amid the sound of police sirens.
However, another verified video displayed Maccabi fans igniting flares and chanting “Ole, ole, let the IDF win, we will f**k the Arabs,” referring specifically to the Israel Defence Forces.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed that he was “horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens,” labeling them as “completely unacceptable.”
Mr. Schoof assured Mr. Netanyahu via phone that “the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted.”
I have been following the news from Amsterdam and am horrified by the antisemitic attacks on Israeli citizens. This is completely unacceptable. I am in close contact with all parties involved and have just spoken to @IsraeliPM Netanyahu by phone to stress that the perpetrators will…
— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) November 8, 2024
Israeli President Isaac Herzog communicated with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, who allegedly expressed “deep horror and shock over the criminal acts committed.”
Mr. Herzog recounted the king as stating that the Netherlands had failed its Jewish community during World War II—under Nazi occupation and persecution—and once again last night.
“We witness with horror this morning the shocking images and videos that, since October 7th, we had hoped never to see again: an anti-Semitic pogrom currently occurring against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam,” he posted on X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the attacks.
“Outraged by last night’s vile attacks targeting Israeli citizens in Amsterdam,” Ms. von der Leyen stated in a post on X, noting that she had discussed the situation with Mr. Schoof.
“I strongly condemn these unacceptable acts. Antisemitism has absolutely no place in Europe. We are determined to combat all forms of hatred.”
‘Ashamed that this can happen in the Netherlands’ – Wilders
Far-right MP Geert Wilders, the leader of the largest party in the Dutch government, criticized the reported attacks in Amsterdam through a post on X.
“Ashamed that this can happen in the Netherlands. Totally unacceptable,” he remarked.
The police reported that incidents had occurred before the match, to which approximately 3,000 Maccabi supporters traveled to Amsterdam.
The Israeli embassy in The Hague stated that mobs had chanted anti-Israel slogans and released videos of their violence on social media, “kicking, beating, even running over Israeli citizens.”
“On the eve of Kristallnacht—when Jews in Nazi Germany faced brutal attacks—it is horrifying to witness anti-Semitic violence on the streets of Europe once again,” it concluded.
According to the police, 62 suspects were detained after the match as pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempted to reach the Johan Cruyff Arena, even though the city had prohibited a protest there.
The police noted that fans exited the stadium without incident following the Europa League match, which Ajax won 5-0, but that clashes erupted overnight in the city center.
The largest-selling newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, cited Israeli fans suggesting the attacks seemed premeditated.
The Israeli military stated it is preparing to deploy a rescue mission.
The Stade de France match will proceed as planned.
A Nations League football match between France and Israel will go ahead as scheduled next week at the Stade de France in Paris despite the recent clashes, as confirmed by the French interior minister.
“Some are calling for the France-Israel match to be relocated. I do not accept this,” Bruno Retailleau expressed on X.
The violence has been condemned both in the Netherlands and in Israel.
“France is not backing down because that would mean capitulating to threats of violence and anti-Semitism,” he asserted, stating he had requested Paris police chief Laurent Nunez to implement necessary security measures for the match on 14 November.
The Gaza war has triggered protests supporting both sides across Europe and the United States, resulting in attacks on both Arabs and Jews.
