Israelis attacked in Amsterdam: Netanyahu denounces a “premeditated anti-Semitic” attack

Violence targeting Israeli fans broke out in Amsterdam on the night of 7-8 ;November after a football match. Israel denounces a “premeditated anti-Semitic attack” and send help.

The Israeli Prime Minister has denounced a “horrible incident” after clashes between Israeli fans and Dutch fans on the sidelines of a Europa League match in Amsterdam on the night of 7 to 8 November 2024. The clashes broke out after the match between Ajax Amsterdam and Macabi Tel Aviv, which the Dutch team won 5-0. Images of the clashes circulated on social media and some appear to show young Dutch men chasing Israeli nationals.

“A large number of vehicles from the mobile unit are present and reinforcements have also been called in. Youths are also said to have provoked the police,” local media AT5 reported, describing the scene and the response of the police. The Amsterdam police protected and escorted the Israeli fans to their hotels after the clashes according to AT5 footage. According to the same media outlet, 57 arrests were made before and after the match. Most of those arrested are described as pro-Palestinian activists.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof assured X that “the perpetrators will be sought and prosecuted,” citing remarks made to his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, during an interview. He denounced “anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis throughout unacceptable facts.

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A "premeditatedéattack" according to Israelël

The Israeli Prime Minister said in a statement that he “views the premeditated anti-Semitic attack against Israeli citizens with seriousness and called for increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands,” including “strong and swift measures against the rioters.” In response to the clashes, Benjamin Netanyahu sent planes to the Netherlands, to “bring back” Israeli nationals, including the wounded. And the Prime Minister added that “the cruel images of the aggression against our fellow citizens in Amsterdam will not be ignored”.

The Israeli army also responded to the violence in Amsterdam, calling the acts “targeted against Jews and Israelis” “horrible and barbaric,” according to spokesman Nadav Shoshani. The IDF added on X that it was “immediately preparing to send a rescue mission.” including a cargo plane and medical teams “in coordination with the Dutch government”.

These violent events come as the Middle East war, in which Israel is fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, continues. Previous encounters of Israeli teams in football competitions have raised a lot of concern. The Dutch authorities, however, assure that they have been “particularly vigilant” in view of the match. The gathering of Israeli supporters before the match was protected by a large force and another gathering of pro-Palestinian activists opposed to the club's arrival was moved away from the stadium where the match was held for security reasons.

While a match between the French team and the Israeli team is scheduled for November 14 at the Stade de France, such clashes are causing concern about possible incidents during the match next week.