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While Dutch Prime Minister condemns ‘anti-Semitic attacks’, Israel sends plane to Amsterdam to ‘rescue’ football fans
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While Dutch Prime Minister condemns ‘anti-Semitic attacks’, Israel sends plane to Amsterdam to ‘rescue’ football fans

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the attacks Israel football fans Amsterdam It was described as “anti-Semitic and unacceptable.”

Fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv were subjected to a series of attacks in the center of Amsterdam; Videos were circulating on social media showing one man being kicked and beaten and another being run over. In some videos, people could be heard chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.

Riot police had to intervene several times to protect the fans and at least 57 people were detained.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said two “rescue planes” were sent to Amsterdam following what the Israeli military described as “violent and violent events against Israelis.” An El Al plane was spotted at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Friday morning during a tight security operation.

Mr Schoof said he followed the developments with horror, spoke to Netanyahu and promised that “the perpetrators will be found and prosecuted”.

“I followed the news from Amsterdam with disgust,” he said in a post on X.

“I am in close contact with all parties involved and just spoke by phone with @Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and emphasized that the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted,” he added.

An El Al plane could be seen at Schiphol Airport after 'unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis' (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)An El Al plane could be seen at Schiphol Airport after 'unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis' (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

An El Al plane could be seen at Schiphol Airport after ‘unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis’ (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had traveled to Amsterdam for their Europa League match against Ajax on Thursday night.

There had been arrests and trouble in Dam Square before the match between Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters, but unrest increased after the match.

Amsterdam police stated that it was unclear who participated in the violence and told local media that those involved were wearing dark-coloured clothing.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of a “pogrom” against Maccabi fans and Israeli citizens.

A major security operation was underway at Schiphol Airport as Israeli fans prepared to fly home (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)A major security operation was underway at Schiphol Airport as Israeli fans prepared to fly home (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

A major security operation was underway at Schiphol Airport as Israeli fans prepared to fly home (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel’s national security ministry also asked its citizens in the Dutch city to stay in hotel rooms after the attacks, the prime minister’s office said in a second statement.

“Fans who go to watch a football match, antisemitism Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a post on the X channel:

Local police said 57 people were detained after the match as pro-Palestinian demonstrators tried to reach the Johan Cruyff stadium, even though the municipality had banned them from protesting there.

Police reported that the fans left the stadium without incident, but there were several clashes in the city center throughout the night.

Israel’s US embassy shared video of people being attacked in Amsterdam, saying hundreds of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were “ambushed” as they left the stadium.

The Israeli military said it was preparing to immediately send a rescue mission with coordination from the Dutch government.

“The mission will be carried out using cargo aircraft and will include medical and rescue teams,” the IDF said.

Clashes were reported in the Dutch city following Thursday night's match (X/iAnnet via REUTERS)Clashes were reported in the Dutch city following Thursday night's match (X/iAnnet via REUTERS)

Clashes were reported in the Dutch city following Thursday night’s match (X/iAnnet via REUTERS)

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said authorities were still in the process of determining the full extent of what happened.

“Despite heavy police deployment in the city, Israeli supporters were injured,” he said in his Instagram post.

A pro-Palestinian rally against the Israeli football club’s visit was originally planned to be held near the stadium but was relocated by the Amsterdam city council for security reasons.

Passions have been rising in the Middle East and abroad since Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 250 hostage, according to Israel.

At least 43,469 Palestinians were killed and 102,561 were injured in Israel’s military assault on Gaza in response to the Hamas offensive, according to health officials in the region.

The Gaza war sparked protests in Europe and the United States in support of both sides, and Arabs and Jews were attacked.

Anti-Muslim politician Geert Wilders, leader of the largest party in the Dutch government, condemned the Amsterdam attacks in a post published on X.

“I am ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands. It is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar asked the Dutch government to help Israeli citizens reach the airport safely, he said in a telephone conversation on Friday.