Israeli football fans suffered ‘anti-Semitic attacks’ in violent incident in Amsterdam: officials

AMSTERDAM — At least five people were hospitalized and 62 more detained after a night of violence against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam on Thursday, authorities said.

The violence occurred after a UEFA Europa League match between Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch football club Ajax in Amsterdam.

Israel’s National Security Headquarters advised Israeli citizens in Amsterdam to “avoid moving on the street and lock themselves in hotel rooms.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday that the situation was now calm and that he was “horrified by anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens.” Schoof, who was involved with the European Council during an official trip to Budapest, said he was returning to the Netherlands early.

“Let’s just say I am ashamed that this happened in the Netherlands and it is a horrific anti-Semitic attack that we will not tolerate,” Schoof said in a statement. “And we will prosecute those responsible, and I am very ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands in 2024.”

All five people who were hospitalized have been released, Amsterdam officials said. Only 10 of the 62 arrested remain in custody.

“I understand very well that this brings back memories of pogroms,” said Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, referring to the organized attacks on Jews in Eastern Europe in the early 20th century.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was in contact with Chouf and called for increased security for Jewish communities in the Netherlands.

“Tomorrow, 86 years ago, was Kristallnacht, when Jews on European soil were attacked for being Jews,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Now it has happened again. This was celebrated yesterday on the streets of Amsterdam. This is what happened. There is only one difference: the State of the Jews arose. We need to deal with this.”

Tensions were rising in the lead-up to the game, with Amsterdam police saying on Wednesday evening that a group of people had pulled a Palestinian flag from a building in the city center and that police had “prevented a confrontation” between a group of visitors and taxi drivers.

Ajax Football Club said in a statement: “After a competitive football match with a good atmosphere in our stadium, for which we thank all parties for their good cooperation, we were horrified to learn what happened last night in the center of Amsterdam. .We strongly condemn this violence.”

Ajax dominated the field, winning 5–0.

Amsterdam police announced Wednesday evening that a “number of security measures” had been taken ahead of the match to ensure that “everything happens in a safe and orderly manner,” in a post on X. There were no known threats before the match, Halsema said.

Officials in Amsterdam said additional police would arrive in the coming days and there would be an increased focus on “providing additional security for Jewish institutions and sites.”

Amsterdam authorities said they would announce additional security measures to be taken on Friday and in the coming days.

ABC News’ Dragana Jovanovic, Will Gretsky, Ellie Kaufman and Victoria Bohl contributed to this report.