After a “very violent incident”, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam this Friday morning to rescue Maccabi Tel-Aviv supporters after violence 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 come to the aid of our citizens,” according to a statement from his services, specifying that Benjamin Netanyahu considered “the appalling incident with the greatest seriousness.” The head of the Israeli government “demands that the Dutch government and security forces take vigorous and rapid action against the rioters and ensure the safety of our citizens,” relates his official account on our fellow citizens in Amsterdam will not be ignored,” he continues.
Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Friday morning with his Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof, asking him to strengthen the security of the Jewish community in the Netherlands, according to the Jerusalem Post.
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 local media AT5.
Israeli army announces deployment of “rescue mission”
Police protected and escorted Israeli supporters to their hotel, according to footage shared by AT5. Amsterdam police, cited by the ANP agency, indicated that they had made 57 arrests in total during the day.
The Israeli army also announced “deploying a rescue mission for Israelis who are attacked in Amsterdam”, by virtue of its “historic duty to protect our people, wherever they are”. “The targeted attacks against Jews and Israelis in Amsterdam this evening are horrific and barbaric. The images of violence against the Jewish people in Europe painfully remind us of our history,” one of its spokespersons, Nadav Shoshani, reacted on X.
In its Hebrew account, the IDF specifies that it “immediately prepared to send a rescue mission in coordination with the Dutch government”. “The delegation will leave on board planes” and “will include medical and rescue teams,” she added.
Amsterdam police said they were “particularly vigilant”
The Amsterdam police indicated on Thursday that they were “particularly vigilant” on its X account, after reporting several incidents, including a Palestinian flag torn from a facade “by unknown persons”.
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 the Amsterdam town hall, for security reasons.
The Israeli National Security Council has called on the Israeli and Jewish population in the Netherlands to exercise caution. “Avoid moving on the streets and lock yourself in hotel rooms,” he declared, calling in passing to avoid displaying “Israeli and Jewish symbols,” according to the Jerusalem Post.