Dozens of arrests swept through Amsterdam on Thursday amidst violent clashes linked to a soccer match between Ajax, a Dutch team, and Maccabi Tel Aviv from Israel. This unrest has been condemned by Israeli officials who have characterized it as a deeply troubling manifestation of antisemitism.
In response to the violence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commanded the dispatch of two aircraft to Amsterdam aimed at aiding Israeli nationals affected by the disturbances. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, took to social media expressing that the Israeli government was actively collaborating with Dutch authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attacks, which he believed were fueled by antisemitism.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported that at least 10 Israeli citizens sustained injuries during the chaos, and some were still unaccounted for as of Friday. The Dutch police confirmed the arrest of 57 individuals in conjunction with the incidents that transpired near the Johan Cruyff Arena. However, their statement did not reference antisemitism or specify any targeted individuals during the clashes.
Tensions mounted in Amsterdam's center earlier Thursday, where hundreds of Maccabi supporters gathered. Initially charged with anticipation and anxiety, the atmosphere later displayed signs of tranquility. Authorities reported more than 10 arrests before the match, primarily due to public disorder offenses.
Other tensions flared at Anton de Komplein, a square situated close to the stadium, where protesters opposing Maccabi's presence confronted military police only to be met with resistance. Following Amsterdam's mayor Femke Halsema's prohibition of protests at the stadium, demonstrators attempted to push toward the venue, resulting in around 30 arrests for disrupting public order and igniting fireworks towards law enforcement officials.
In a stern statement, Ben-Gvir condemned the violence, indicating that supporters attending a soccer match were brutally attacked out of sheer prejudice. Meanwhile, Israel's newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Saar remarked that coordinated efforts were underway with the Dutch government to address the violent occurrences and provide necessary support for those affected.
This developing story highlights deep-seated tensions in the region and raises ongoing discussions surrounding antisemitism in sports and public events.
