Several people were injured in clashes on Thursday, November 7, on the sidelines of the Europa League soccer match between the city club, Ajax Amsterdam, and Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Five people were briefly hospitalized, according to Dutch police, who made 62 arrests. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced a “terrible accident” and sent repatriation planes, while the Amsterdam city council denounced a “explosion of anti-Semitism.”
Five people briefly hospitalized and 62 arrested after nighttime clashes
“The night after the football game (…) “It was very hectic, with several violent incidents against Maccabi fans.” in several places in the city, Dutch authorities reported Friday morning. “The police had to intervene on several occasions, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to their hotels. Despite massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters were injured »added the same source, announcing the opening of an investigation.
According to police, five people were briefly hospitalized. Of the 62 people arrested, ten – including two minors – remain detained, according to the Dutch attorney general, René de Beukelaer. During the joint press conference of the Amsterdam city council, the police and the public prosecutor’s office, Mr. de Beukelaer declared that the ten suspects would be tried “during an expedited trial as quickly as possible”.
Various videos, verified by the worldshow clashes in front of Amsterdam Central Station; Other images show people being violently beaten.
“Incidents on both sides” before the game, according to police
On Thursday afternoon, around a hundred Israeli supporters gathered on Dam Square, surrounded by a large police force, before heading to Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Stadium. A pro-Palestinian demonstration condemning the arrival of the Israeli club was initially planned near the venue, but the city council moved it a little further into the neighborhood for security reasons.
Widely deployed before the match, Dutch police were on alert after a Palestinian flag was torn down from a façade on a main avenue in the city center the day before. “Violence between supporters had already started on Wednesday night. It was a night with incidents on both sides. Maccabi supporters removed a flag from a facade of the Rokin and destroyed a taxi. A Palestinian flag was burned at the dam »Amsterdam Police Chief Peter Holla said Friday.
The videos that the world could identify show a man tearing a Palestinian flag from a facade, while a group of people shout “Fuck you Palestine”. In another, we hear chants from Maccabi Tel Aviv fans: “Let the IDF win to finish off the Arabs.”
Israel reacts strongly and dispatches repatriation planes
In Israel, the authorities reacted very strongly and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that they considered “The most serious horrible incident” AND ” require [des autorités néerlandaises] act vigorously and quickly against the rioters”.
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The Israeli army announced a ban on all its personnel from traveling to the Netherlands “until further notice”. A first plane carrying Israelis evacuated from Amsterdam landed Friday afternoon at Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, Israeli airport authorities announced. According to the Israeli company El Al, three evacuation flights are planned for Friday afternoon, in addition to two regular flights.
The head of Israeli diplomacy, Gideon Saar, who must urgently travel to Amsterdam, spoke with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, asking that the Dutch authorities guarantee the safety of the fans for their transfer to the airport.
Clashes Called an “explosion of anti-Semitism” by the mayor of Amsterdam, international outrage
The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, who announced a reinforcement of security measures as well as a temporary ban on demonstrations in the capital, denounced a “explosion of antisemitism” WHO “They hadn’t seen him in a long time.” For his part, the Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, denounced a “terrible anti-Semitic attack.” “I am deeply ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands in 2024”he declared during a brief statement to the press in Budapest on the sidelines of a European summit. “We will not tolerate it (…) “We will pursue the perpetrators.”he added.
In France, Emmanuel Macron condemned “firmly” this violence “that remember the most shameful hours in history”wrote in X. “France will continue to fight tirelessly against hateful anti-Semitism”assured the head of state. French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad urged people not to show up“No weakness, no cowardice in the face of anti-Semitism”denouncing in “a hunt for Jews on European soil”.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, president of the Macronist group in the National Assembly, also spoke about “horrible images” who confirms “that the most rampant anti-Semitism is occurring” In “our western societies”. Laurent Wauquiez, president of the group of deputies La Droite Républicaine, spoke about “a pogrom (…) on the streets of a European capital ». The extreme right was one of the first to react. “We must be implacable in the face of this outbreak of anti-Semitic violence that desecrates and disgraces Europe”wrote the leader of the RN deputies, Marine Le Pen. “If there were attacks (…)“They are unacceptable”Manuel Bompard, coordinator of La Francia insumisa (LFI), commented to Cnews/Europa 1, claiming to have seen “Images also circulate” of “racist provocations” of Israeli supporters.
The UN and the EU have also expressed their outrage. “We have seen this very disturbing information. No one should be subjected to discrimination or violence based on their national, religious, ethnic or any other origin.”Jeremy Laurence, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said Friday.
For her part, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that “indignant” for these “despicable attacks” AND “unacceptable”. “Anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in Europe”reacted the head of the European executive on X.
The celebration of the France-Israel match scheduled for Thursday at the Stade de France is being debated
One question is now on everyone’s lips: should we keep the Nations League match between France and Israel on Thursday at the Stade de France? Manuel Bompard in Cnews/Europe 1 and other voices, especially in LFI, call for its cancellation. Others, however, propose its relocation.
Abandon “it would be equivalent to abdicating in the face of threats of violence and anti-Semitism”responded the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, about “take the necessary security measures” to keep it at the Stade de France. “With all the necessary security measures to avoid a night of violence, Bruno Retailleau is right to want to keep the game going”estimated the president of LR of the Hauts-de-France region, Xavier Bertrand.
