Anti-Semitic rioters target Israeli football fans as disorder unfolds in Amsterdam

Dozens of arrests have been made after anti-Semitic rioters “actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack” after a football match in Amsterdam, Dutch authorities said.

Officers have arrested 62 people in the capital after unrest surrounding a football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Five people were taken to hospital following the violence when the two sides faced off at the Johan Cruyff Arena, with Ajax winning 5-0.

Israel initially said it planned to send military planes to Amsterdam to fly fans home, before later deciding to send two commercial planes instead.

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

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

A statement from the Amsterdam police and prosecutors said the evening was “very turbulent with several incidents of violence targeting Maccabi supporters.”

“Supporters were attacked in several places in the city,” the statement said.

“The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels. Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters have been injured.

“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 by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to target and attack them.”

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.

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.

Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv 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 or near the arena, most for disturbing public order and carrying or lighting fireworks, the statement said.

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.

Ugly scenes brought back the worst memories of anti-Semitism in Europe

The scenes in Amsterdam were extremely ugly on Thursday evening as Israeli football supporters were chased, beaten and kicked to the ground.

Some videos show fans being stopped and forced to show their passports.

It brings back the worst memories of anti-Semitism in Europe, especially because it happened around the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, when the Nazis unleashed a series of pogroms against the Jews in 1938.

Senior Israeli politicians have labeled last night’s violence as an organized pogrom and called on Dutch authorities to arrest those responsible. 62 people have already been arrested.

The Dutch Prime Minister has called the attacks “completely unacceptable”.

There was tension earlier in the evening. Videos circulating on social media, verified by Sky News, show Maccabi Tel Aviv fans pulling down Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Arab slogans before the match.

There are also reports that Israeli fans in the stadium booed during a minute’s silence for the victims of the Valencia floods.

The Israeli military has confirmed it is no longer sending rescue flights to Amsterdam as originally announced by Benjamin Netanyahu, but Israeli airlines have been cleared to fly later tonight on Shabbat if necessary.

Israel’s new Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is also reportedly on his way to the Dutch city to meet officials there.

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”.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on in the heart of Amsterdam.”

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said in a post on

“I strongly condemn these unacceptable acts,” she added. “Anti-Semitism absolutely has no place in Europe. And we are determined to fight all forms of hate.”