Amsterdam mayor condemns ‘black night and dark day’ of attacks on Israeli football fans

Dutch police arrested 62 people and took five to hospital with injuries after Israeli supporters of the Maccabi Tel Aviv football team were attacked following the Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam Thursday night in what the mayor is calling a “hit and run” incident.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said during a press conference on Friday that the city is looking back at a "black night and a dark day” during which antisemitic "criminals" attacked Jewish visitors.

She said men on scooters were searching for Maccabi supporters last night and described the incident as “a hit and run”.

"It's against everything we're proud of in Amsterdam,” Halsema said. “I'm very ashamed of the behaviour that was shown last night. This is nothing like Amsterdam.”

According to police, supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv were “attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks” in several locations around the city, forcing authorities to intervene to protect Israeli supporters and escort them back to their hotels.

Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla said trouble began as early as Wednesday, when Maccabi supporters attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire.

He added that after the match on Thursday evening, Maccabi supporters were walking through the city centre when "rioters" carried out "hit-and-run" attacks targeting at the Israeli supporters.

In addition to the five Israelis who were taken to hospital, Holla said that around 20 to 30 Maccabi supporters were "lightly" injured. He confirmed that the police have "no information that there are abductions or missing people" as some have speculated, but said they will treat these reports seriously.

“This outburst of violence against Israeli supporters is beyond all bounds and cannot be justified in any way,” Dutch police said in a statement Friday morning. “There is no excuse for the anti-Semitic behaviour displayed last night by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and abuse them.

“Both Israeli visitors and the Jewish community must feel safe in Amsterdam. There will be extra police on the move in the coming days to monitor and control the situation. In addition, there will be extra attention for the extra security of Jewish institutions and objects.”

Dutch Prime Minsiter Dick Schoof responded to the incident on X Friday morning, writing: “Have been following the news from Amsterdam and am horrified by the antisemitic attacks on Israeli citizens. This is completely unacceptable. I am in close contact with all parties involved and have just spoken to Israeli PM Netanyahu by phone to stress that the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted.”

The incident also prompted calls of condemnation from sports associations around the world.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the governing body behind the Europa League, also issued a statement addressing the attacks:

“UEFA strongly condemns the incidents and acts of violence that occurred last night in the city of Amsterdam before and after the UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. We trust that the relevant authorities will identify and charge as many of those responsible for such actions as possible.
“UEFA will examine all official reports, gather available evidence, assess them and evaluate any further appropriate course of action in accordance with its relevant regulatory framework,” the statement concluded.

Ashley Lerner, CEO of Maccabi GB, said in a statement: “We are shocked and saddened at the scenes from Amsterdam. Football and sport should be about unity and passion, not violence and intimidation.

“We send strength to our family and friends at Maccabi Netherlands, the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, and the whole Jewish Community in Amsterdam. We stand with you today and always.”

According to eyewitness reports and video footage shared on social media, some Israeli fans were beaten, while others had rocks and fireworks thrown at them. Injuries ranged from bruises to minor lacerations.

The clash on Thursday occurred despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the football stadium imposed by Halsema in an attempt to prevent violent interactions between protesters and supporters of the Israeli soccer club.

She acknowledged that the incident brings to mind pogroms against Jews in Dutch and European history, adding that what happened in Amsterdam last night was “reprehensible.”

The five people taken to hospital have reportedly been discharged this morning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent two rescue planes to the Netherlands on Friday to assist Israeli football fans in making a safe exit from the violent scenes in Amsterdam. His office said in a statement:

"Prime Minister Netanyahu views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity and demands that the Dutch government and security forces take vigorous and swift action against the rioters, and ensure the safety of our citizens.”

On Friday, Netanyahu said the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht – the pivotal Nazi progrom that took place in Germany on 9 November, 1938 – was “marked on the streets of Amsterdam” by the attacks against Israelis. 

“There is one difference now, though: the Jewish people now have a state of their own,” Netanyahu said.