Violent attacks against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans are taking place in Amsterdam following the soccer match that took place Thursday evening between Maccabi and Ajax.
On Monday, Spain’s AS newspaper reported that a pro-Palestinian group was planning to protest outside the stadium, targeting the Israeli team and its fans, and on Tuesday, it was reported that in addition to Maccabi’s regular security, Mossad agents would join the team to provide additional protection.
Earlier on Thursday, the NL Times reported that several individuals had been arrested for riots. However, Amsterdam police did not confirm whether they were fans of the football club or pro-Palestinian supporters.
Additionally, local law enforcement provided protection to the hundreds of Maccabi supporters who showed up to watch the match.
Various reports in both Israel and Amsterdam have indicated that Israel’s embassy in the Netherlands has gotten involved and is assisting with relocating the Israelis to a safe location.
Jews are openly being beaten in Amsterdam tonight pic.twitter.com/O8mqzX5cF8
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 8, 2024
Footage circulating on social media has shown fans being beaten, chased with knives, and narrowly avoiding being hit by vehicles.
A member of Chabad Amsterdam who was at the game told The Jerusalem Post, "I'm in shock now and hope that it will end soon. Didn't expect it at all."
"We'll try to help everyone, Bez"h," he added.
According to Maariv, there has been at least one attempt at kidnapping an Israeli, and many have barricaded themselves in stores and buildings.
"I called my friend, and a voice in Arabic answered," one man said.
Multiple videos showed Israelis jumping into canals to avoid the protesters.
"We experience the very thing they told us in school would never happen again," another told Maariv.
These attacks come just hours after the country commemorated the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht.
Naftali Bennett
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett posted on X/Twitter to alert people to the situation.
“At these moments, Arabs are rampaging around and brutally beating Israeli tourists in a way that seems life-threatening,” he wrote.
“I am calling on everyone who can, to act by any means to save their lives. Wake up.”
Bennett made posts in both Hebrew and English, urging authorities to get involved.
“What I see seems to be life-threatening: innocent people being run-over, beaten, driven into a river and more,” his post in English said.
“I call on the Dutch authorities to act immediately to prevent injuries and worse. Anybody that can act, please do so now.” he tagged Minister-president of the Netherlands Dick Schoof, who has yet to address the situation.
Gideon Sa'ar
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed on X that he is in contact with authorities in the Netherlands and posted a hotline for Israelis and Jews in danger.
אנו מטפלים מול הגורמים בהולנד בארועים החמורים שם. כל ישראלי או יהודי שנמצא כרגע במצוקה או יש לו מידע ומיקום על ארוע אלים שמתרחש כעת - אנא לפנות לחדר מצב:0097225303155
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) November 8, 2024
The Embassy of Israel to the USA posted additional hotlines .
"[We are] urging Israelis who are in need of assistance to call one of these numbers: +97225303155, +31634138229"
Eli Beer
"This is what happens when terrorists are allowed into Europe," Eli Beer, president of United Hatzalah, wrote.
"Tonight, in central Amsterdam, young Jews were attacked by Palestinians, facing attempted lynching. The police were absent or arrived too late. This is happening in the heart of Europe, and it’s only the beginning. In Israel, we confront this daily, but now it’s spreading to Europe"
Raz Amir
Israeli fans indicated to journalist Raz Amir that they believe the attack was planned in advance.
According to Amir, the police left the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans alone and did not provide any escort from when they boarded the trains and made their way to the hotels.
"The Dutch police sold us so that the Arabs would lynch us," one fan told him after escaping the attack and arriving at the Amsterdam airport injured and bloody.
"This seems like a PLANNED and ORGANIZED POGROM in Amsterdam," Bennett posted.
Danny Danon
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon addressed the situation, calling for the UN to condemn the pogrom.
"These are the true faces of the supporters of the radical terrorism we are fighting," he wrote.
"The western world needs to wake up now!! This is the time when the UN should immediately and clearly condemn the violence of the Palestinians and their supporters. The Dutch authorities must take decisive action against terrorism now."
The Prime Minister's Office has released a statement that Netanyahu has authorized two emergency flights, which have left for Amsterdam.
"The Prime Minister takes the horrific event very seriously, and demands that the Dutch government and the Dutch security forces act firmly and quickly against the rioters, and ensure the peace of our citizens," the statement read.
Itamar Ben-Gvir
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote that he was in constant contact with the Israel Police, who have been coordinating with Dutch Police to “rescue the Israeli citizens, and to investigate the serious lynching incidents in the Netherlands.”
“This is not only an injury to Jews and Israelis, but a warning sign to all European countries against radical Muslim violence. Those who turn a blind eye to Islamic terrorism in the Middle East will meet it at home in Europe and the West. Today the victims were Israelis, tomorrow it will be you Europeans,” he wrote.
According to local law enforcement, 65 protesters have been arrested so far, and police have yet to take control of the situation.
Local authorities have reported that ten Israelis have been injured so far in the pogrom, with consul members currently searching hospitals.
Two people have been reported missing.
Authorities say that the situation has calmed down over the last hour, and Israelis have been instructed to shelter in place.
NSC guidelines
The National Security Council has issued a new warning to Israelis and Jews in the Netherlands.
“Avoid movements in the street and lock yourself in hotel rooms. The externalization of Israeli and Jewish symbols must be avoided.”