Israeli football fans subjected to ‘anti-Semitic attacks’ in violent incident in Amsterdam: Officials

(LONDON) — At least five people were hospitalized and 62 people were detained after a night of violence targeting Israeli football fans in Amsterdam on Thursday, authorities said.

The violence occurred following a UEFA Europa League match between Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club and Dutch Ajax Football Club in Amsterdam.

The Israeli National Security Center called on Israeli citizens staying in Amsterdam to “avoid movement on the streets and lock themselves in their hotel rooms.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday that the situation was now calm and that he was “appalled by the antisemitic attacks against Israeli citizens.” Schoof, who paid an official visit to Budapest regarding the European Council, said that he would return to the Netherlands early.

“Let’s just say that I am ashamed that this happened in the Netherlands and that this is a terrible anti-Semitic attack and we will not tolerate it,” Schoof said in a statement. “And we will prosecute the perpetrators, and I am deeply ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands in 2024.”

According to Amsterdam authorities, all five people who were hospitalized have been released. Only 10 of the 62 people arrested remained in detention.

“I understand very well that this brings back memories of pogroms,” said Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, referring to organized attacks on Jews in Eastern Europe in the early 20th century.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he was in contact with Schoof and called for increased security for Jewish communities in the Netherlands.

“Tomorrow was Kristallnacht, 86 years ago, when Jews on European soil were attacked because they were Jews,” Netanyahu said in his statement. he said. “This has now been repeated. This was celebrated on the streets of Amsterdam yesterday. This is what happens. There is only one difference: the state of the Jews arose. We have to deal with it.”

Amsterdam police said a group of people pulled down a Palestinian flag in front of a building in the city center on Wednesday night, and police “prevented a confrontation” between the two people. a group of visitors and taxi drivers.

Ajax Football Club said in a statement: “After a sporty football match that had a good atmosphere in our stadium and for which we thanked all parties involved for their good cooperation, we were horrified to learn of what happened in the center of Amsterdam last night. We strongly condemn this violence.”

Ajax emerged victorious, winning the match on the field 5-0.

In a post on X on Wednesday evening, Amsterdam police announced that “a number of security measures” had been taken before the match to ensure “everything proceeds safely and orderly”. Halsema said there was no known threat before the match.

Authorities in Amsterdam said extra police would be mobilized in the coming days and extra attention would be paid to “extra security of Jewish institutions and objects.”

Amsterdam authorities said they would announce additional security measures to be taken on Friday and in the coming days.

ABC News’ Dragana Jovanovic, Will Gretsky, Ellie Kaufman and Victoria Beaule contributed to this report.

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