Emergency measures in Amsterdam over attacks on Israeli football fans after Palestinian flags torn down
8 November 2024, 05:26 | Updated: 8 November 2024, 23:36
Amsterdam's mayor has announced a raft of emergency measures in the Dutch city after "antisemitic" rioters attacked Israeli football supporters - adding she was "furious" about the violence.
Femke Halsema told a news conference: "This is a very dark moment for the city, for which I am deeply ashamed. Antisemitic criminals attacked and assaulted visitors to our city, in hit-and-run actions."
The emergency measures apply to Amsterdam and the Amstelveen suburbs to its south.
Police will be able to conduct extra searches, a temporary ban on protests and face coverings was issued, and buildings that could be targeted will be protected.
Explained: What we know about violence involving football fans in Amsterdam
Earlier, footage shared on social media showed Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters tearing down Palestinian flags in central Amsterdam.
Anti-Arab chants could also be heard as large crowds of the Israeli fans shouted: "Let the IDF win, and (expletive) the Arabs," as they were escorted by police to the stadium.
At Thursday evening's Europa League game between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, footage from the Johan Cruyff Arena stands showed Israeli supporters refusing to observe a minute's silence for the victims of Valencia's recent flooding before kick-off.
Chanting could also be heard in the background.
The person who posted the clip claimed "illegal fireworks" were set off and the protest was the result of Spain cancelling an arms deal with an Israeli company.
Officers later arrested 62 people in the Dutch capital following the disorder after the football match that saw Ajax beat the Israeli side 5-0.
Five people were taken to hospital following the violence.
Israel initially planned to send military planes to fly fans home, before deciding to send two commercial planes instead.
'An attack on Jews just for being Jews'
In response to the incident, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Tomorrow, 86 years ago, was Kristallnacht - an attack on Jews just for being Jews, on European soil. It's back now."
Videos circulating on social media show crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.
On Friday morning, authorities at a news conference said 10 of the 62 people arrested were still being held by police.
Two of those who remain in custody were minors, they added.
A 'very turbulent' evening
A statement by Amsterdam police and prosecutors said Thursday evening "was very turbulent, with several incidents of violence aimed at Maccabi supporters".
They added: "The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels.
"There is no excuse for the antisemitic behaviour exhibited last night by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them."
The first arrests took place hours before the game, as Israeli supporters gathered in the city centre.
There were then further arrests at a planned demonstration against the arrival of the Tel Aviv side's players, and after the match some targeted Israeli supporters.
Dutch police said they were aware of reports of a possible hostage situation, but had no confirmation it actually happened. A number of people who were reported missing have now been found, it said.
How the incident unfolded
Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters had gathered in Dam Square in the afternoon, and around 10 people there were arrested for criminal offences including disrupting public disorder, police said.
Meanwhile, a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration took place at the Anton de Komplein square, around a 15-minute walk from the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Local authorities had barred organisers from holding the demonstration at the ground.
Part of this group tried to get to the ground but were stopped by police, who were pelted with fireworks, the force said.
Around 30 people were arrested at or near the arena, most of them for disrupting public order and carrying or lighting fireworks, the statement added.
Police said fans left the arena without incident after the match, but clashes were reported in the city centre during the night.
Israel's national security ministry urged its citizens in the Dutch city to stay in their hotels during the evening.
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Reaction and response
Ms Halsema said authorities launched an independent investigation into what unfolded.
Ben Mansford, chief executive of the Israeli club, said: "This was not connected to football... it's very very sad times given the last year that we've had."
In a statement, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) said it was "gravely concerned by the sequence of violent events" in Amsterdam, which it said began with the words and actions of the Israeli fans.
The PFA highlighted a previous alleged incident where it claimed an Arab man was beaten unconscious by a group of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Greece, and added: "The PFA calls on UEFA and FIFA to address the normalisation of genocidal, racist, and Islamophobic rhetoric among Israeli football supporters and to implement concrete measures to combat this hostility."
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was "horrified" by the attacks and outgoing US President Joe Biden described them as "despicable".
(c) Sky News 2024: Emergency measures in Amsterdam over attacks on Israeli football fans after Palestinian flags torn down
