Israeli football supporters attacked in Amsterdam, Israel sends two rescue planes – Libération

Dozens of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were victims of attacks in Amsterdam on the night of Thursday to Friday on the sidelines of a Europa League match. A total of 57 people were arrested during the day.

And “terrible incident” for the Israeli Prime Minister who denounces “a premeditated anti-Semitic attack”. Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam on Friday morning to rescue Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters after clashes led to dozens of arrests on the sidelines of a Europa League match. “The Prime Minister ordered the immediate dispatch of two relief planes to help our citizens,” according to a press release from its services, while the Israeli army has indicated for its part that it is preparing “a rescue mission” including a cargo plane.

Clashes broke out overnight in the center of Amsterdam, following the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv and won by the Dutch club (5-0). “A large number of vehicles from the mobile unit are present and reinforcements have also been called. Young people also allegedly provoked the police”described the local media AT5, which also published images of supporters protected and escorted by the Dutch police.

Pro-Palestinian rally

Police protected Israeli supporters to their hotel. Amsterdam police, cited by the ANP agency, indicated that they had made 57 arrests in total during the day. She indicated Thursday that she was “particularly vigilant” on his X account, after reporting several incidents, including a Palestinian flag torn from a facade “by strangers”. This Friday, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof denounced “unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis”. During a telephone interview he had with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu “stated that he viewed the premeditated anti-Semitic attack against Israeli citizens with seriousness and called for increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands.” He demanded that the perpetrators be “wanted and pursued”.

In the afternoon, around a hundred Israeli supporters gathered on Dam Square – surrounded by a large police force – before going to the Johan Cruyff stadium, southwest of the Dutch capital. A pro-Palestinian rally condemning the arrival of the Israeli club was initially planned near the stadium, but was moved a little further into the neighborhood by Amsterdam town hall for security reasons.

Update : at 7:45 a.m., with new elements.