Israeli soccer fans have faced a series of attacks in central Amsterdam, authorities say, with riot police having to intervene several times to protect them.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the “anti-Semitic attacks” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said two “rescue planes” would be sent to Amsterdam after what the Israeli military described as “serious and violent incidents against Israelis.”
Amsterdam’s mayor and authorities said that despite a massive police presence, Israeli fans had been injured in several parts of the Dutch capital.
Supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv had traveled to Amsterdam for a Europa League match against Ajax.
Schoof said he had followed the events with horror, adding that he had spoken with Netanyahu and stressing that “the perpetrators will be found and prosecuted.”
Police said 57 people were detained. There were already arrests and riots in Dam Square before the match involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters, and there were reports of fans setting off fireworks and knocking down a Palestinian flag on a nearby street.
But the unrest increased after the game. Police said it was unclear who had taken part in the riot and told local media that those involved were wearing dark clothing.
Several videos circulated on social media, one showing a man being kicked and punched on the ground and another showing someone being run over. In some videos people could be heard shouting pro-Palestinian slogans, although the images have not been verified by the BBC.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of a “pogrom” against Maccabi fans and Israeli citizens. Anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who leads the largest party in parliament, also spoke of a pogrom and said “the authorities will be held accountable for failing to protect Israeli citizens.”
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema had previously tried to avoid trouble by moving pro-Palestinian protesters away from the Johan Cruyff Arena. But Dutch reports said a large group had attempted to head to the stadium, only to be stopped by riot police.
Herzog said in X that he was confident that Dutch authorities would act immediately to “protect, locate and rescue all attacked Israelis and Jews.”
Israeli officials urged citizens to stay 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 anti-Semitism, Deborah Lipstadt, said she was horrified by the attacks in Amsterdam, which were “terribly reminiscent of a classic pogrom” and was deeply concerned by how long they had lasted.
He noted that the violence had taken place two days before the anniversary of the Nazi pogrom against the Jews in Germany in November 1938.
