Israel is rushing two planes to Amsterdam on Friday to bring hundreds of Israeli soccer fans back home after a wave of violent, antisemitic attacks struck the city’s streets overnight. Following a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam, videos surfaced showing clashes where Israeli fans were targeted, abused, and bombarded with fireworks.
Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema reported that riot police had to intervene, guiding Maccabi supporters to safety, while five individuals required hospital care. The violence comes amid heightened antisemitic incidents across the Netherlands, with Jewish organizations increasingly facing threats since the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the attacks as “completely unacceptable” and assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that perpetrators would face justice. Following the violent unrest, security in Amsterdam was bolstered, as the Israeli embassy shared alarming footage of mobs chanting anti-Israel slogans and violently pursuing Israeli fans.
