“Israeli fans experienced moments of anguish, they were deliberately attacked,” according to Dutch police
The violence that broke out overnight from Thursday to Friday in Amsterdam represents a “explosion of antisemitism” WHO “They hadn’t seen him for a long time.”the city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, said on Friday.
METROme Halsema, who said “furious”reported people who beat fans of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel-Aviv before fleeing, with “Hooligans on scooters”, Looking for Israeli followers. “I understand very well that this is reminiscent of pogroms,” he added.
Amsterdam is “deeply damaged”declared the mayor, “The war in the Middle East also threatens peace in our city”.
According to Amsterdam Police Chief Peter Holla, the police were “prepared as much as possible” but could not prevent violence despite the deployment of more than 800 agents, reports Volkskrant. “It is extremely difficult to act against this type of lightning actions, widespread throughout the city”explained Mr. Holla, who then stated that “Israeli fans have experienced moments of anguish. “They were deliberately attacked.”.
According to the police, “The perpetrators were guilty of several serious attacks.” Five injured people were treated in hospital and between 30 and 40 people with minor injuries were treated in Amstelveen. All the injured have already left the hospital.
“As of this afternoon an emergency order applies in Amsterdam and Amstelveen. The entire city is designated as a security risk zone »as reported by the Dutch newspaper live from the press conference. “This weekend, demonstrations and clothing that cover the face are prohibited and the municipality is deploying additional police officers. »
“What happened is a shame for Amsterdam. “We are not doing well internationally”declared the city’s mayor.
At the same time, “after an assessment of the situation”The Israeli army banned all its personnel from traveling to the Netherlands “ until further notice”he said in a press release.
“What happened in Amsterdam is unacceptable. “This is the large-scale deployment of anti-Semitism.”added the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, on the sidelines of a visit to Marseille.
