Disorder in Amsterdam – Israelis injured in riots

The night’s violence began after a Thursday night soccer match between Dutch Ajax and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

According to Israeli media, Israeli fans were attacked by people shouting Palestinian slogans.

Five Israelis have required hospital treatment, according to Dutch police. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says at least ten people were injured.

One of them, Yaakov Masri, told Keshet 13 Israel that he and his son were attacked by a large group of men – some armed with knives and clubs – as they were leaving the ball game. foot

– They started beating us, hit my face, knocked out a tooth and tore my lips open. My son was hit twice in the face, he says.

Three Israelis were reported missing after the riot. They have now been found, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces.

Damaged flags

Video clips from Amsterdam circulating on social media show even Israeli soccer fans shouting hateful slogans towards Arabs and Palestinians, The Times of Israel reports, among others. . In the unverified clips, the Israelis can be heard chanting “there are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left”. They are also said to have vandalized Palestinian flags.

Israelis in Amsterdam are now being asked to get to the airport and get home as soon as possible – and not to display “Israeli and Jewish symbols” among people, Israeli media writes. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema promises more security and announces a temporary ban on protests, reports AFP.

Far-right anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders, who won the biggest anti-immigration PVV party in last year’s Dutch election, says it is a “pogrom”. .

“Gaza of Europe”

“Pogrom on the streets of Amsterdam. We have become the Gaza of Europe. Muslims with Palestinian flags hunting Jews. I will never accept it. Never,” writes Wilders on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered two planes to bring home Israeli fans. Israel’s new foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, will travel to the Netherlands soon, according to the State Department. At the same time, the Israeli military is issuing a ban on travel to the Netherlands for its personnel.

“Completely unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks against Israel,” signed Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof X.

The perpetrators will be found and prosecuted, affirms Schoof. According to Dutch police, 62 people were arrested.