After a Europa League soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, antisemitic rioters in Amsterdam reportedly targeted and attacked Israeli fans, leaving five people hospitalized and resulting in 62 arrests, authorities said Friday.
The violence, which escalated after the match, has drawn strong condemnation from both Dutch and Israeli leaders, with Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema calling it a “very dark moment” that shamed the city. “Antisemitic criminals attacked and assaulted visitors to our city,” Halsema stated, acknowledging fears of violence despite a ban on a planned pro-Palestinian protest near the stadium.
The Israeli government announced its support for Israeli fans affected by the incident, coordinating flights to bring citizens home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office condemned the attacks as “premeditated antisemitic violence” and called on the Dutch government to take swift action against those responsible.
The violence reportedly followed tensions in Amsterdam, where Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had earlier marched in a pro-Israel rally, chanting and tearing down Palestinian flags. Anger further flared when Israeli fans reportedly disrespected a moment of silence.
Netanyahu’s office initially ordered two “rescue planes” to evacuate Israeli citizens, but the decision was later changed, shifting the focus to supporting citizens through civil flights. “The harsh images of assaults on our citizens will not go unaddressed,” Netanyahu’s office stated, urging action from Dutch authorities.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof responded to the incident, denouncing the attacks on Israelis as “completely unacceptable.” He assured that those responsible would be prosecuted, having spoken directly with Netanyahu about the steps being taken. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as a “pogrom,” linking the violence to a surge in antisemitism since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that sparked the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders also condemned the incident, calling it a “Jew hunt” and demanding strong measures against the attackers.
