Israeli football fans suffer ‘anti-Semitic attacks’ during violent incident in Amsterdam

LONDON — At least five people were hospitalized and 62 others arrested on Thursday evening after a night of violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam, authorities said.

The violence took place after a UEFA Europa League match between Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club and football club Ajax on Thursday in Amsterdam.

Israel’s National Security Headquarters told Israeli citizens staying in Amsterdam to “avoid movement on the streets and confine themselves to hotel rooms.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the situation is now calm and that he is “shocked by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli civilians”. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said he had been in contact with Schoof and called for greater security for Jewish communities in the Netherlands.

Tensions rose last night in the run-up to the match. Amsterdam police had reported on Wednesday evening that a group of people had pulled a Palestinian flag from the facade of a building in the city center, prompting police to report “a confrontation” between a group of visitors and taxi drivers.

The Amsterdam police have not yet responded to the incident, but announced in a post on X on Wednesday evening that a “number of security measures” had been taken before the match to ensure “that everything runs safely and orderly”.

Officials in Amsterdam said there will be extra police on the road in the coming days and extra attention “for the extra security of Jewish institutions and objects.”

The Amsterdam authorities will hold a press conference on Friday at 12 noon where additional measures that will be taken today and in the coming days will be announced.

ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman and Victoria Beaule contributed to this report.