Violence and Arrests in Amsterdam Amid Soccer Match Tensions

Violence Erupts in Amsterdam Amid Soccer Match Tensions

On Thursday, a significant number of individuals were detained in Amsterdam following violent incidents connected to a high-profile soccer match between a Dutch team and an Israeli club. The Israeli government has classified these events as antisemitic attacks, raising profound concerns over safety and discrimination.

In response to the unrest, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday that two planes would be dispatched to the Netherlands to assist Israeli citizens affected by the violence. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, took to social media to confirm that Israeli officials are collaborating with Dutch authorities to investigate the attacks, which he attributes to rising antisemitism.

According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, at least ten Israeli citizens have sustained injuries, and two individuals remain unaccounted for amidst the chaos. The Dutch police reported that they made a total of 57 arrests related to the disturbances in Amsterdam, particularly near the Johan Cruyff Arena, where Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Israeli team, was facing off against Ajax, the local club. Notably, the police statement refrained from mentioning antisemitism or specifying if any individuals were targeted during the violence.

The clashes occurred in areas where supporters of both teams had gathered, with some rallying in favor of the Israeli squad while others protested its presence. The police indicated that hundreds of Maccabi supporters congregated in Amsterdam’s city center early Thursday afternoon. Initially, the atmosphere was charged with tension, but it gradually eased as the day progressed. Prior to the match, ten individuals were arrested in the city center, primarily for public disorder.

At a nearby square named Anton de Komplein, tensions escalated as protesters opposing Maccabi Tel Aviv attempted to reach the stadium, leading to confrontations with military police. Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, had previously issued a prohibition against holding the protest at the stadium, designating the square as the designated area instead. In this altercation, approximately 30 individuals were apprehended on charges of public disorder and for launching fireworks at law enforcement officials.

In light of these events, Minister Ben-Gvir emphasized the Israeli government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens, stating that he is coordinating efforts with the foreign minister, defense minister, and both Israeli and Dutch police forces to assist those who have been targeted. “Fans attending the soccer match were met with abhorrent antisemitism and faced brutal attacks solely because of their Jewish identity,” he asserted.

Gideon Saar, Israel’s newly appointed foreign minister, reiterated that his ministry is actively engaged with Dutch authorities to address the violent incidents and encouraged those in need of assistance to reach out to the relevant authorities.

This story is still developing.