Israeli and Dutch Leaders Condemn Anti-Semitic Violence in Amsterdam After Football Match, Israel Sends Rescue Planes
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Israeli and Dutch officials have strongly condemned violent clashes that erupted in Amsterdam following a Europa League football match between Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Ajax. The violence, described as anti-Semitic in nature, targeted Israeli fans after the game, prompting Israel to send rescue planes to evacuate its citizens from the Netherlands.
The unrest occurred late Thursday night in the aftermath of Ajax’s 5-0 victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv. According to Dutch authorities, at least 57 people were arrested, though specific details of the incidents remain unclear. Dutch police reported widespread clashes, vandalism, and acts of violence in Amsterdam’s city center, with reinforcements called in to control the situation. Social media posts showed Dutch police escorting Israeli fans back to their hotels.
In response to the violence, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof denounced the attacks as “completely unacceptable,” condemning the anti-Semitic nature of the clashes. He expressed his horror over the events, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assure him that the perpetrators would be tracked down and prosecuted.
Netanyahu, who had ordered rescue planes to the Netherlands to bring Israeli fans home, responded with a firm statement of his own. He told Schoof that he viewed the attacks against Israeli citizens “with utmost seriousness” and requested increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands.
The Israeli embassy in the United States condemned the violence as an “anti-Semitic pogrom” against Maccabi Tel-Aviv fans, labeling it an attack by a “mob who targeted innocent Israelis.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on the Dutch government to “protect, locate and rescue all Israelis and Jews under attack.” In a statement, Herzog compared the violence to the horrific images from October 7, which had already heightened concerns over anti-Semitism amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The clashes occurred around midnight, with multiple reports of fighting and vandalism. Dutch media outlet AT5 reported that “young people” allegedly provoked the police during the unrest. While images and videos of the violence flooded social media, the situation remained chaotic and difficult to fully verify.
In response to the ongoing threat, Israeli authorities advised their citizens in Amsterdam to remain in their hotels and avoid displaying Israeli or Jewish symbols. Israel’s army coordinated a “rescue mission,” deploying cargo planes and medical teams to assist in the evacuation of Israeli citizens. Israel’s new Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, also reached out to the Dutch government to ensure the safe passage of Israelis from their hotels to the airport.
The unrest follows a series of escalating anti-Israeli protests and incidents across Europe, fueled by rising tensions over Israel’s military actions against Iran-backed militants in Gaza and Lebanon. In Amsterdam, a planned pro-Palestinian rally near the stadium was relocated by city authorities for security reasons after concerns about potential violence.
The violence in Amsterdam has intensified calls for stronger protections for Jewish communities and greater international efforts to combat anti-Semitism, especially as the war in Gaza continues to affect public sentiment around the world.
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