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On Friday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam to rescue Maccabi Tel Aviv fans after violence led to the arrest of dozens of people on the sidelines of a European Football League match.
Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “The Prime Minister ordered two rescue planes to be sent immediately to rescue our citizens,” adding that Netanyahu views “the horrific incident with extreme seriousness and calls on the Dutch government and the Dutch security forces to take strict and rapid measures against the rioters and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
The Israeli army confirmed that it is preparing to send a “rescue mission” to Amsterdam.
He said in a statement that he was preparing “immediately to send a rescue mission in coordination with the Dutch government,” “following the difficult and dangerous incidents of violence against Israeli citizens in Amsterdam, under directives from the political level, and after evaluating the situation.”
He explained that the mission will consist of “cargo planes and will include medical and rescue teams.”
Clashes broke out during the night in the center of the Dutch capital after a football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which the Dutch club won with a score of five clean goals.
The local AT5 channel reported, “There are a large number of mobile unit vehicles and reinforcements have been called.”
The channel broadcast scenes showing the police escorting Israeli fans to their hotel.
The Israeli Embassy in Washington indicated that “hundreds” of fans were subjected to an ambush and were assaulted in Amsterdam this evening (Thursday) as they were leaving the stadium after a match.
Anb News Agency quoted an Amsterdam police official as saying that 57 people were arrested during the day.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that he asked the Dutch government to provide protection for the fans and ensure their safe transportation from the hotel to the airport.
The Dutch police announced on their “X” account on Thursday that they were “on alert” after reporting several incidents, including “unidentified persons snatching a Palestinian flag” from a building.
On Thursday afternoon, about 100 fans of the Israeli club gathered in Dam Square, surrounded by a large police force, before heading to the Johan Cruyff Stadium in the southwest of the Dutch capital.
It was initially planned to organize a pro-Palestinian march near the stadium to denounce hosting the Israeli club, but the Amsterram municipality requested that it be held a little further in the area for security reasons.
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