A Group of Youths in Amsterdam Attack Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans, 5 Hospitalized Dozens Arrested

Amsterdam, Beritasatu.com – Five people had to be treated and dozens were arrested after a group of young people riding scooters attacked Israeli fans in a hit-and-run attack during Ajax Amsterdam’s match against Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.

As reported APauthorities in the Netherlands on Friday (8/11/2024) said the attack appeared to have been triggered by calls to target Jews spread on social media. As a result of this incident, five people were hospitalized and dozens of others were arrested.

Tensions are rising in the Dutch capital regarding Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. This tension occurred even before the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday (7/11/2024) evening.

Amsterdam authorities banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned near the stadium, and video showed a large crowd of Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans on their way to the match.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said youths on scooters crisscrossed the city looking for Israel supporters, punching and kicking them and then fleeing quickly to avoid police.

In Telegram groups, he added, there was talk about people carrying out witch hunts against Jews. “It was so shocking and reprehensible that I still can’t understand it,” he explained.

According to authorities, police had to escort some fans back to the hotel. Ofek Ziv, a Maccabi fan from the Israeli city of Petah Tikva, said someone – he did not see who – threw a rock at him as he and a friend were leaving the stadium. He was hit on the head, causing minor bleeding.

He said a group of Arab men started chasing him, before he and his friend got into a taxi, picking up other fans. They took refuge in a hotel.

Five people were hospitalized and released, while about 20 to 30 people suffered minor injuries, police said. At least 62 suspects were arrested, and 10 people are still in custody, the city’s public prosecutor, René de Beukelaer, told journalists at a press conference, Friday (8/11/2024).

Police said security would be increased at Jewish institutions in the city which has a large Jewish community and was home to World War II Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family when they hid from Nazi invaders.

This violence resonated intensely in Israel and throughout Europe after they attacked Palestine and Lebanon. Israel’s foreign minister left on an emergency trip to the Netherlands, and the government initially ordered two planes sent to the Dutch capital to bring fans home. The prime minister’s office later said it would work to help citizens arrange commercial flights.