Israeli fans 'willfully attacked' after soccer match in Amsterdam; 5 hospitalized

AMSTERDAM - Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were assaulted overnight by attackers after a soccer match in Amsterdam, leaving five people hospitalized and dozens arrested, Dutch authorities said – denouncing the attacks as antisemitic. 

It was not immediately clear how the violence began. 

Video showed Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans in the streets before the game against Ajax Amsterdam. Peter Holla, the city’s acting police chief, told a news conference that the fans were "willfully attacked." He added that people on scooters staged "hit-and-run" attacks, making it difficult for police to track them down.

(From L) Chief Public Prosecutor, Rene de Beukelaer, Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema and police Chief of the Amsterdam-Amstelland unit, Peter Holla address the media after several scuffles broke out in Amsterdams city centre following the UEFA Euro

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"There is no excuse for the antisemitic behavior exhibited last night by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them," the city of Amsterdam said of the assaults. 

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attacked: What happened?

Ahead of the game, video also showed large crowds of supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv, chanting anti-Arab slogans. "Let the IDF win, and (expletive) the Arabs," the fans chanted, using the acronym of the Israeli military, as they shook their fists ,according to the Associated Press. 

Maccabi fans have used the same chant during recent matches in Israel. It also showed police pushing several pro-Palestinian protesters away from a Maccabi fan gathering in a square earlier in the day.

It was not immediately clear when and where violence erupted Thursday night.

The Dutch capital’s municipality, police and prosecution office said rioters actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them in several parts of the city. "The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels," they said.

Ofek Ziv, a Maccabi fan from the Israeli city of Petah Tikva, told the Associated Press that he and a friend were leaving the stadium after the match. Someone — he didn’t see who — threw a rock at him, hitting his head and causing bleeding. He said a group of Arab men began to chase him, before he and his friend quickly got into a taxi, picking up other fans. They took shelter at a hotel.

"I’m very scared, it’s very striking. This shouldn’t happen to anyone, specifically in Amsterdam. Lots of friends were hurt, injured, kidnapped, robbed, and the police didn’t come to help us," he told the AP.

The Amsterdam police said in a post on X that they have started a major investigation into multiple violent incidents. More than 60 people were detained, and 10 were still in custody on Friday, according to Amsterdam's public prosecutor, René de Beukelaer.

"This is simply antisemitic violence against Israelis," Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said, calling the attacks "downright scandalous and reprehensible."

After the overnight violence, Israel ordered two planes be sent to the Dutch capital to bring the Israelis home, but later the prime minister’s office said it would work on "providing civil aviation solutions for the return of our citizens.″

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that "the harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked," and that Netanyahu "views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity." He demanded that the Dutch government take "vigorous and swift action" against those involved.

Security concerns have shrouded matches with Israeli teams in multiple countries over the past year because of global tensions linked to the wars in the Middle East. Ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, Amsterdam authorities had banned a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration near the stadium.

Still, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema told reporters Friday that the Dutch counterterror watchdog said there was no concrete threat to Israeli soccer fans before the game.

Authorities said extra police would patrol Amsterdam in coming days, and security will be beefed up at Jewish institutions in the city that has a large Jewish community and was home to Jewish World War II diarist Anne Frank and her family as they hid from Nazi occupiers.