On Thursday evening, before and after the fourth round of the UEFA Europa League group stage match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, 10 Israeli fans were attacked by Palestinian supporters.
During the attacks, the attackers, who hid their faces behind masks, shouted calls for the liberation of Palestine. Eyewitnesses reported the theft of passports of the injured Israelis. The attacks began before the starting whistle and continued on the way out of the stadium.
Groups of attackers armed with edged weapons beat fans, threw them into canals, pogroms and attempted kidnappings.
Unknown assailants also entered other public places, threw torches and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans. Groups of violent masked men chased Israelis through the streets up to the lobbies of hotels and hotels where they were staying before going to the football game.
According to Dutch law enforcement authorities, two fans are missing. The severity of the injuries sustained by the victims is not yet known. Against the backdrop of the attacks, Israelis in Amsterdam urged not to display national symbols and, if possible, not to take to the streets.
On Friday, it became known that the Israel Defence Forces in Amsterdam plans to send a rescue mission to the Netherlands. This was initially demanded by the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called for the allocation of at least two planes to take out Israeli citizens as soon as possible. The IDF Spokesperson’s Office later announced the launch of the rescue operation in its Telegram channel. The publication noted:
Following the serious and violent incidents against Israelis in Amsterdam, at the behest of political forces and in accordance with the current situation, the IDF is preparing to deploy a rescue mission as soon as possible, under the coordination of the Dutch government.
The press office added that the army command will lead it in co-operation with various units and Israeli security agencies.
According to Yet portal, some 57 people were arrested and at least 12 people were injured.
According to Daily Mail, Israeli football fans themselves engaged in provocations before the start of the football match against Ajax.
During a mass march through the streets of the city, people dressed in black, hiding their faces with hoods, tore Palestinian flags off the facades of buildings and chanted “Damn you, Palestine!” It is alleged that the attackers also attacked taxis for no apparent reason and clashed with the drivers. Amsterdam police have not yet officially confirmed that it was Maccabi fans.
