Amsterdam police say 5 people have been hospitalized and 62 arrested after attacks on Israeli football fans

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

Earlier, a statement from the Dutch capital’s municipality, police and public prosecutor’s office said the night was “very turbulent with several incidents of violence targeting Maccabi supporters” after anti-Semitic rioters “actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack them.” to attack and attack.’ ‘

It was not immediately clear when and where the violence broke out after the match.

“Supporters were attacked in various places in the city. The police had to intervene several times, protecting Israeli supporters and escorting them to hotels. Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters were injured,” the Amsterdam statement said.

“This outburst of violence against Israeli supporters is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way. There is no excuse for the anti-Semitic behavior exhibited last night,” it added.

The violence broke out despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the football stadium imposed by Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, who feared clashes would break out between demonstrators and supporters of the Israeli football club.

There were also incidents involving fans before the match. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that a Palestinian flag was torn from a building in the city center and riot police blocked pro-Palestinian supporters who tried to march to the Johan Cruyff Arena stadium where the match was being played.

Israel initially ordered two planes to be sent to the Dutch capital to take the Israelis home, but the prime minister’s office later said it would work to “provide civil aviation solutions for the return of our citizens.”

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that “the harsh images of the attack on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked,” and that Netanyahu “views the horrific incident with the utmost seriousness.” He demanded that the Dutch government take ‘strong and swift action’ against those involved.

Netanyahu’s office added that he had called for greater security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X that he followed reports about the violence ‘with horror’.

“Completely unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with all those involved,” he added, saying he had spoken to Netanyahu and “emphasized that the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted. It is now quiet in the capital.”

Security concerns surrounding the organization of matches against visiting Israeli teams prompted the Belgian football federation to refuse to organize a men’s Nations League match in September. That match against Israel was played in Hungary without fans in the stadium.

The violence in Amsterdam will lead to a review of security at two matches organized this month by the European football association UEFA. France will play Israel in the Nations League at the Stade de France near Paris next Thursday and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s next Europa League match is scheduled in Istanbul on November 28 against Besiktas.

Ajax won the Europa League match 5-0.