Amid rising tensions, Dutch King Willem-Alexander has called for measures to ensure the safety of Jewish people in the Netherlands following violent attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam.
The king remarked that “history has taught us how intimidation can escalate,” emphasizing that the country cannot ignore “antisemitic behavior.” The attacks occurred when youths on scooters engaged in “hit-and-run” assaults on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters visiting for a Europa League match.
Authorities indicated that five individuals required hospitalization due to injuries sustained during the incidents, and at least 62 arrests were made. Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema expressed her condolences to the victims and their families during a press conference.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who returned early from a summit in Budapest, expressed horror at the developments and vowed to track down the perpetrators. The violence was particularly shocking as it coincided with the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 pogrom against German Jews, reminding many of the darker chapters in history.
While there had been earlier tensions involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters, the level of violence escalated dramatically. Police Chief Peter Holla confirmed incidents involving both groups, noting that Israeli supporters set a Palestinian flag on fire and attacked a taxi.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the “anti-Arab chants” and called for the Dutch government to protect Palestinians and Arabs living in the country.
Concerns over safety were exacerbated when Mayor Halsema revealed that police had not received any specific threats regarding the match. Despite this, many residents found the situation alarming, emphasizing the urgent need to address the recent rise in violence.
The backlash to the attacks prompted the head of the Netherlands’ Central Jewish Committee to express concern over the failure to ensure public safety. In a response, officials from Telegram announced they had shut down a group chat linked to the disturbances, reiterating their commitment to preventing calls to violence.
In response to the violent events, Israeli airline El Al announced it would operate “rescue flights” to bring Israeli passengers home. The first flights arrived at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, where returning passengers shared their experiences with reporters.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attacks as a “pogrom” against Maccabi fans and expressed confidence in the Dutch authorities to protect Israeli citizens.
The violence in Amsterdam has raised concerns about security for Israeli fans at events across Europe. In light of potential risks, Israel’s national security council cautioned fans to avoid a basketball game in Bologna, Italy, although no violence was reported at that EuroLeague fixture.
Credit: BBC News
