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Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam overnight Thursday, following a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, prompting the Israeli government to dispatch planes to evacuate its citizens.
Hundreds of Maccabi fans were ambushed and assaulted as they left the Johan Cruijff Stadium after the game, according to the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. The embassy shared videos on social media showing the violence, although CNN has not independently verified the footage.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the antisemitic attacks, calling them "completely unacceptable," and assured that the perpetrators would be identified and prosecuted. Schoof expressed his horror over the incident in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stressed the need for increased security for Israelis in the Netherlands.
"The situation in Amsterdam is now calm," Schoof said on social media.
Israeli officials reported that 10 citizens were injured in the attacks, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemning the violence as "barbaric and antisemitic." Sa’ar advised Israelis in Amsterdam to stay in their hotels while authorities coordinated their safe departure. He also urged Dutch officials to assist with transport to the airport.
In response to the crisis, Netanyahu ordered two Israeli rescue planes to assist with the evacuation, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) leading the mission. The IDF said the operation would include medical teams and be conducted with the cooperation of Dutch authorities.
Dutch police arrested 57 people after the match, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempted to reach the stadium, despite a city ban on protests. Police said that while fans had initially left the stadium without incident, clashes broke out later in the city center.
Political tensions had been rising ahead of the match, with unverified videos circulating online showing Maccabi fans chanting about the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The situation in Amsterdam follows increased tensions across Europe, raising concerns about rising antisemitism.
[Information sourced from CNN]
