A disturbing incident unfolded in Amsterdam on Thursday night as Israeli soccer fans travelling to watch Maccabi Tel Aviv play against Ajax Amsterdam were brutally attacked by an apparent anti-Israeli mob. Reports suggest that the attacks, which took place at several locations in the Dutch city, were carried out by a group chanting ‘Free Palestine’ and hurling insults in Arabic.
The violence erupted after Maccabi Tel Aviv’s loss to Ajax. According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, at least 10 Israelis were injured in the attacks, and contact has been lost with two others. The Israeli foreign ministry has advised its citizens in the Netherlands to stay in their hotels and not venture out.
Graphic videos circulating on social media showcase the severity of the attacks, with fans being beaten, kicked, run over, and even thrown into the river. One video shows a fan being held against his will until he chanted “Free Palestine.” The attacks have been condemned by Israeli officials as a display of “unimaginable cruelty” and “anti-Semitism.”
In response to the violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched two planes to Amsterdam to evacuate and bring back the affected fans. He has also urged Dutch authorities to “act firmly and quickly against the rioters and ensure the peace of our citizens.”
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett echoed Netanyahu’s call for action, stating: “At this very moment in Amsterdam, Jews are being attacked at multiple locations… I call upon the Dutch authorities to act immediately to prevent further injuries and loss of lives.”
The Israeli Embassy to the United States has also condemned the attacks, stating that hundreds of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans “were ambushed and attacked” as they left the stadium.
The Dutch authorities are now facing mounting pressure to address the violence and ensure the safety of Israelis in Amsterdam. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine, and the importance of combating anti-Semitism and hate crimes.
