Israel evacuates citizens from Amsterdam Scooter hit-and-run incident against Israeli fans who were in the city after a soccer match that authorities have condemned as anti-Semitic.
Dutch authorities said five people were treated in hospital, another 20 to 30 suffered minor injuries, and at least 62 suspects had been arrested. Associated Press. Ten suspects remain in custody.
Authorities said the violence was fueled by calls on social media to target Jews. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said the attackers punched, kicked and assaulted Israeli soccer fans before fleeing from police.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for decisive action against violence and anti-Semitism and the support of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in the immediate evacuation of Israelis, according to a presidential spokesperson.
“We failed the Dutch Jewish community during World War II, and we failed it again last night,” the king told Herzog, a spokesman said.
The assault occurred before Thursday night's Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Amsterdam authorities had banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned near the stadium.
Video showed a large crowd of Israeli fans praising the Israel Defense Forces and chanting anti-Arab slogans on the way to the game.
“Let the Israel Defense Forces win, the Arabs…” a fan shouted While they shake their fists. Video also shows police shoving several pro-Palestinian protesters away from Maccabi fans who had gathered in the square earlier in the day, and other videos show a Palestinian flag being torn from a building. It is said that it was also shown. CNN.
After the game, hundreds of Maccabi fans were “ambushed and attacked in Amsterdam,” the Israeli Embassy in the United States said. said in X.
Officials said they had to escort several fans to their hotels after the game.
Halsema added that there was talk about “hunting Jews” within the Telegram group.
“It was so shocking and despicable that I still can't understand it,” she said. She called the incident “an outpouring of anti-Semitism that we hoped would never be seen in Amsterdam again.”
According to a press release obtained by The Hill, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already met with Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands Modi Ephraim.
“Eighty-six years ago tomorrow was Kristallnacht, when Jews living in European lands were attacked for being Jewish. This is happening again now. This was marked yesterday on the streets of Amsterdam. This is what happened. There was only one difference: the Jews rose up. We need to deal with this,'' Prime Minister Netanyahu said in the Situation Room, adding: “First of all, this is not only endangering us and them and the free countries and the Netherlands. First, we need to address the danger to us. We cannot accept this.”
Biden administration officials condemned the violence.
“We condemn the reprehensible attack on Israelis in Amsterdam and extend support to the injured and wish them a full recovery,” said Ambassador Jack Lew of the U.S. Mission to Israel. said in X. “We stand with the Dutch Prime Minister, Israel and all those who condemn this hateful anti-Semitic violence.”
