Israel to rally football fans in Amsterdam after anti-Semitic attacks

A video verified by Reuters showed a group of men running near Amsterdam central station, chasing and attacking other men as police sirens blared.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was “appalled by the anti-Semitic attacks against Israeli citizens” and that it was “completely unacceptable”.

Schoof said he assured Netanyahu over the phone that “the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted.”

Anti-Muslim politician Geert Wilders, head of the largest party in the Dutch government, said he was “ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands.”

In his harsh post on the social media platform X, he blamed “criminal Muslims” and said they should be deported.

ISRAEL SAYS THE VIOLENCE REMINDS THE POGROMAS IN EUROPE

Police said there were incidents before the match, when approximately 3,000 Maccabi fans went to Amsterdam.

The Israeli embassy in The Hague said mobs were chanting anti-Israeli slogans and sharing videos of violence on social media showing them “kicking, beating and even trampling Israeli citizens.”

“It is horrifying to once again witness anti-Semitic violence on the streets of Europe on the eve of Kristallnacht, when Jews in Nazi Germany were subjected to brutal attacks,” the statement said.

Police said 62 suspects were detained after the match as pro-Palestinian demonstrators tried to reach the Johan Cruyff Arena, even though the municipality had banned protests there.

It was stated that after the Europa League match, which Ajax won 5-0, the fans left the stadium without incident, but clashes broke out in the city center throughout the night.