The authorities in the Netherlands are investigating violence occurring around a soccer game between a Dutch club, Ajax, and an Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv. Israeli and Dutch officials both described these as antisemitic attacks.
In a post on social media platform X, the police said “Several reports about last night’s events in Amsterdam are circulating on social media. The police have launched a major investigation into multiple violent incidents. So far, it is known that five people have been taken to the hospital and 62 individuals have been arrested. The police are aware of reports regarding a possible hostage situation and missing persons, but currently have no confirmation that this actually took place. This aspect is also under investigation.” The count of people taken to hospital has now been upped to 10.
The attacks happened during several tense hours in different locations during which street disturbances had been building Wednesday night and into early Thursday, before the soccer match. People had gathered in support of the Israeli team and others were protesting the arrival of the team. Dutch officials said that attackers were riding scooters and attacked the Israelis. Some had been kicked or beaten, according to the Israeli Embassy in the Netherlands.
Most of those arrested were later released, the Amsterdam authorities said, and five Israelis who had been hospitalized with injuries were discharged. Some others sustained light injuries, they said. Israeli airline El Al sent planes to bring Israeli citizens home from Amsterdam.
A tweet by the Israeli Embassy in Netherlands on X said: “Horrific scenes from Amsterdam last night, echoing Europe’s darkest history: Hundreds of fans of Israel’s @MaccabiTLVFC were ambushed and brutally attacked in Amsterdam last night after the match against @AFCAjax. Mobs chanted anti-Israel slogans and proudly shared videos of their violent acts on social media—kicking, beating, even running over Israeli citizens. On the eve of Kristallnacht—when Jews in Nazi Germany faced brutal attacks—it is horrifying to witness antisemitic violence on the streets of Europe once again. @IsraeliPM Netanyahu and Foreign Minister @GidonSaar announced Israel is sending an aid mission, including two rescue planes.”