AMSTERDAM (AP) — Amsterdam police mentioned Friday that 5 individuals had been hospitalized and 62 arrested after what authorities described as systematic violence by antisemitic rioters focusing on Israeli followers following a soccer match.
The Dutch and Israeli leaders denounced the violence, and condemnation poured in from Jewish teams. Israel’s overseas minister left on an pressing diplomatic journey to the Netherlands. Safety considerations have shrouded matches with Israeli groups in a number of nations over the previous 12 months due to international tensions linked to the wars within the Center East.
The Amsterdam police mentioned in a put up on X that they’ve began a significant investigation into a number of violent incidents. The put up didn’t present additional particulars about these injured or detained in Thursday evening’s violence following the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Authorities mentioned further police would patrol Amsterdam in coming days, and safety will likely be beefed up at Jewish establishments within the metropolis that has a big Jewish group and was house to Jewish World Battle II diarist Anne Frank and her household as they hid from Nazi occupiers.
Earlier, a press release issued by the Dutch capital’s municipality, police and prosecution workplace mentioned that the evening “was very turbulent with several incidents of violence aimed at Maccabi supporters″ after antisemitic rioters “actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them.″
It was not immediately clear when and where violence erupted after the match.
“In several places in the city, supporters were attacked. The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels. Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters have been injured,” the Amsterdam assertion mentioned.
“This outburst of violence toward Israeli supporters is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way. There is no excuse for the antisemitic behavior exhibited last night,” it added.
The violence erupted regardless of a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration close to the soccer stadium imposed by Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, who had feared that clashes would escape between protesters and supporters of the Israeli soccer membership.
There have been additionally incidents involving followers forward of the match. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported {that a} Palestinian flag was ripped off a constructing within the heart of the town and riot police blocked pro-Palestinian supporters attempting to march towards the Johan Cruyff Area stadium the place the match was being performed.
Israel initially ordered that two planes be despatched to the Dutch capital to deliver the Israelis house, however later the prime minister’s workplace mentioned it will work on “providing civil aviation solutions for the return of our citizens.″
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that “the harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked,” and that Netanyahu “views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity.” He demanded that the Dutch authorities take “vigorous and swift action” in opposition to these concerned.
Netanyahu’s workplace added that he had known as for elevated safety for the Jewish group within the Netherlands.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof mentioned on X that he adopted stories of the violence “with horror.”
“Completely unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with everyone involved,” he added, saying that he had spoken to Netanyahu and “emphasized that the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted. It is now quiet in the capital.”
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Safety points round internet hosting video games in opposition to visiting Israeli groups led the Belgian soccer federation to say no to stage a males’s Nations League recreation in September. That recreation in opposition to Israel was performed in Hungary with no followers within the stadium.
The violence in Amsterdam will result in a evaluate of safety at two video games this month being organized by European soccer physique UEFA. France performs Israel at Stade de France close to Paris subsequent Thursday within the Nations League and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s subsequent Europa League recreation is scheduled in Istanbul on Nov. 28 in opposition to Besiktas.
Ajax gained the Europa League match 5-0.
