Dutch politicians condemn violence against Israelis in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Nov. 8, (dpa/GNA) – Dutch politicians have condemned the violent clashes that occurred on Thursday evening between Israeli football fans and pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the fringes of football club Maccabi Tel Aviv’s match in Amsterdam.

Israeli authorities said on Friday that three Israelis are missing following the violence and that 10 people had been injured. The degree of their injuries was initially unclear.

Local authorities said several people had been injured, with the exact number still being determined.

“At several locations in the city, fans were besieged, abused and pelted with fireworks,” Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema said, condemning the “anti-Semitic behaviour.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also denounced the “unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis” on X. He said he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone and promised the country all the support it needed.

Police said that they had detained almost 60 people. The authorities are investigating the incidents and have called for all victims to report to the police.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry urged its citizens to use public transport to travel to the airport, after Israel had announced it was sending two planes to evacuate the fans.

The Israeli airline El Al announced that the first rescue flight from Amsterdam to Israel would take off at 2 pm (1300 GMT). Two more regular flights to Tel Aviv were also planned.

GNA