Dutch police have arrested 57 folks within the centre of Amsterdam after clashes broke out, reportedly involving younger locals and Israeli soccer supporters.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned “antisemitic assaults” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned two “rescue planes” have been being despatched to Amsterdam after what Israel’s army described as “extreme and violent incidents in opposition to Israelis”.
A police spokeswoman informed Dutch media that unrest had damaged out round Dam Sq. within the coronary heart of the capital, however didn’t say who was concerned.
Supporters of Israeli membership Maccabi Tel Aviv had travelled to Amsterdam for a Europa Cup match in opposition to Ajax.
Schoof mentioned he had adopted developments with horror, including that he had spoken to Netanyahu and emphasising that the “perpetrators can be tracked down and prosecuted”.
There had already been arrests and hassle in Dam Sq. forward of the match involving Maccabi followers and pro-Palestinian protesters, and there have been studies of supporters setting off fireworks and tearing down a Palestinian flag on a close-by road.
However the unrest grew after the sport. Police mentioned it was unclear who had taken half within the riots, telling native media that these concerned have been carrying darkish clothes.
A number of movies circulated on social media, with one displaying a person being kicked and overwhelmed on the bottom and one other displaying somebody being run over. In some movies, folks may very well be heard shouting pro-Palestinian slogans, though the footage has not been verified by the BBC.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of a “pogrom” in opposition to Maccabi followers and Israeli residents. Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders who leads the most important get together in parliament additionally spoke of a pogrom, saying “authorities can be held accountable for his or her failure to guard the Israeli residents”.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema had earlier sought to stop hassle by transferring pro-Palestinian protesters away from the Johan Cruyff Area. However Dutch studies mentioned a big group had then tried to move to the stadium, solely to be stopped by riot police.
Herzog mentioned on X that he trusted the Dutch authorities would act instantly to “shield, find and rescue all Israelis and Jews underneath assault”.
