Football hooligans target Israeli supporters as disorder ensues in Amsterdam

Dutch police have arrested 62 people in Amsterdam and five have been taken to hospital, after unrest surrounding a football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Both teams faced each other in the Johan Cruijff Arena, with Ajax winning 5-0. The first arrests took place hours before the match, when Israeli supporters gathered in the city center.

Further arrests then took place during a planned demonstration against the arrival of players from Tel Aviv, and after the match hooligans targeted Israeli supporters.

Images shared on social media show football supporters tearing down a Palestinian flag in the center of Amsterdam. Anti-Arab chants can also be heard.

Other videos show crowds of people running through the streets and a man being beaten.

The Dutch police say they are aware of reports of a possible hostage situation, but have no confirmation that it actually took place. A number of people reported missing have now been found, they said.

The Israeli military initially said it would send two planes to Amsterdam on a rescue mission to help its citizens, but later decided “this was not necessary.”

“The mission will be deployed using cargo aircraft and will include medical and rescue teams,” the Israeli military said.

Maccabi supporters had gathered on Dam Square in the afternoon before the match and about ten people were arrested for criminal offenses including disturbing public order, police said.

Meanwhile, a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration took place on Anton de Komplein, about a 15-minute walk from the Johan Cruijff Arena. Local authorities had barred organizers from holding the demonstration on the ground.

Some of this group tried to get to the ground but were stopped by riot police, who were pelted with fireworks, police said.

About 30 people were arrested in and near the arena, most for disturbing public order and carrying or lighting fireworks, the statement continued.

Police said fans left the arena without incident after the match, but clashes were reported in the city center overnight.

Videos posted on social media showed crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said this on Friday morning the Israeli Prime Minister had been informed of the details of “a very violent incident” in Amsterdam.

IsraelThe Ministry of National Security has urged its citizens in the Dutch city to stay in their hotels, the prime minister’s office said.

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a post on

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a message on X that he had “followed the news from Amsterdam with disgust.”

He added that he had been in contact with Mr Netanyahu about the incident and said the city was now “calm”.