The Israeli government announced that on Friday it is sending two planes to the Netherlands to rescue citizens affected in Amsterdam after outbreaks of violence related to the football match between the Dutch "Ajax" and the Israeli "Maccabi Tel Aviv," which Israel called anti-Semitic attacks. The Israeli Ministry of National Security urged Israeli citizens in the Dutch city to stay in their hotel rooms after the attacks. The Israel Defense Forces reported that they will deploy a rescue mission in Amsterdam. "The mission will be deployed with the help of a cargo plane and will include medical and rescue teams," said the IDF.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that at least 10 Israeli citizens were injured as a result of the violence, and two more went missing. The Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that Israeli authorities are working with the Dutch to investigate this episode.
"Fans who came to watch the football match faced anti-Semitism and were subjected to unimaginably brutal attacks just because of their nationality," said Itamar Ben-Gvir in his statement on the X website.
In a statement by the Dutch police, published on Friday, it was reported that 57 arrests were made in connection with the riots, some of which occurred at or near the football arena.
As Reuters writes, hundreds of "Maccabi" fans gathered in the center of Amsterdam early Thursday morning, the atmosphere was initially tense but gradually became calmer. According to the police, ten people were arrested there before the game, mainly on charges of disturbing public order.
In the square near the stadium, people protesting against the arrival of Tel Aviv's "Maccabi" clashed with military police after attempting to enter the stadium. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema had previously banned holding a protest at the stadium and ordered it to be held in this square. According to the police, during this clash, about 30 people were arrested on charges of disturbing public order and launching fireworks at the police. However, this did not prevent the riots with dozens injured.
The head of the coalition in the Netherlands, Geert Wilders, commented on the night's events in his social media account X: "We have become the Gaza of Europe. Muslims with PLO flags are hunting Jews, I am not willing to accept this. Never. The authorities will be held accountable for their inability to protect Israeli citizens. Never again."