Antisemitic rioters target Israeli football fans as disorder unfolds in Amsterdam

Dozens of arrests have been made after antisemitic rioters "actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack" following a football match in Amsterdam, Dutch authorities have said.

Officers have arrested 62 people in the Netherlands' capital after disorder surrounding a football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Five people have been taken to hospital following the violence as the two sides faced each other at the Johan Cruyff Arena, with Ajax winning 5-0.

Israel initially said it was planning to send military planes to Amsterdam to fly fans home, before later deciding to send two commercial planes instead.

Footage shared on social media shows football supporters pulling down a Palestinian flag in central Amsterdam. Anti-Arab chants could also be heard.

Other videos show crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.

A statement issued by Amsterdam police and prosecutors said the evening "was very turbulent with several incidents of violence aimed at Maccabi supporters".

"In several places in the city, supporters were attacked," the statement said.

"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.

"This outburst of violence toward Israeli supporters is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way.

"There is no excuse for the antisemitic behaviour exhibited last night by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them."

The first arrests took place hours before the game, as Israeli supporters gathered in the city centre.

There were then further arrests at a planned demonstration against the arrival of the Tel Aviv side's players, and after the match as hooligans targeted Israeli supporters.

Dutch police said they were aware of reports of about a possible hostage situation but had no confirmation it had actually happened. A number of people who were reported missing have now been found, they said.

Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters had gathered in Dam Square in the afternoon before the match, and around 10 people there were arrested for criminal offences including disrupting public disorder, police said.

Meanwhile, a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration took place at the Anton de Komplein square, around a 15-minute walk from the Johan Cruyff Arena. Local authorities had barred organisers from holding the demonstration at the ground.

Part of this group tried to get to the ground but were stopped by riot police, who were pelted with fireworks, the force said.

Around 30 people were arrested at or near the arena, most of them for disrupting public order and carrying or lighting fireworks, the statement added.

Police said fans left the arena without incident after the match, but clashes were reported in the city centre during the night.

Videos posted on social media showed crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.

At a press conference this morning, Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema said authorities have decided to start an independent investigation into what happened.

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Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday morning that the Israeli prime minister had been informed of the details of "a very violent incident" in Amsterdam.

Israel's national security ministry urged its citizens in the Dutch city to stay in their hotels, the prime minister's office added.

Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a post on X: "Fans who went to see a football game, encountered anti-Semitism and were attacked with unimaginable cruelty just because of their Jewishness and Israeliness."

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a post on X that he had "followed the news from Amsterdam with disgust."

He added that he was in touch with Mr Netanyahu about the incident and said the city was now "calm".

Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on X: "We see with horror this morning, the shocking images and videos that since October 7th, we had hoped never to see again: an anti-Semitic pogrom currently taking place against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam."

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said she is "outraged by last night's vile attacks" in a post on X.

"I strongly condemn these unacceptable acts," she added. "Antisemitism has absolutely no place in Europe. And we are determined to fight all forms of hatred."

(c) Sky News 2024: Antisemitic rioters target Israeli football fans as disorder unfolds in Amsterdam