Dutch mobile Police officers stand guard after several scuffles broke out in the city center following the UEFA Europa League, League phase - Matchday 4, football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, in Amsterdam on November 8, 2024.
(photo credit: VLN Niews / ANP / AFP)
Important Takeaways:
- Amsterdam police on Friday said ten people were in custody after Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans were attacked by what Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema described as “anti-semitic hit-and-run squads”.
- “This is a very dark moment for the city, for which I am deeply ashamed,” Halsema said at a news conference.
- “Anti-semitic criminals attacked and assaulted visitors to our city, in hit-and-run actions,” Halsema said, adding perpetrators had managed to escape a large police presence.
- The Dutch Organization for Central Jewish Consultation issued an urgent call on Friday for immediate, tough measures following apparent antisemitic attacks after an Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv football match.
- “The terrible scenes we witnessed last night show that there is no time to wait before taking tough measures”, the CJO said in a statement.
- Authorities say that the situation has calmed down over the last hour, and Israelis have been instructed to shelter in place. A Dutch police spokeswoman said 57 have been arrested so far.
- Footage circulating on social media has shown fans being beaten, chased with knives, and narrowly avoiding being hit by vehicles. Dutch riot police were sent in to respond to the attackers.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been informed of the incident and has sent two rescue planes to assist Israeli citizens. The IDF is coordinating the rescue mission, and are sending cargo aircraft and two planes from the Hercules squadron with medical and rescue teams.
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