Israel sends rescue planes to Amsterdam after violent clashes over football match – The Irish Times

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has ordered two rescue planes to be sent immediately to Amsterdam following a “very violent incident” against Israeli citizens, his office said on Friday, after attacks linked to a soccer match were reported.

Israel’s Ministry of National Security also urged its citizens in the Dutch city to stay in their hotel rooms after the attacks, the prime minister’s office said in a second statement.

“Fans watching a soccer match encountered anti-Semitism and were attacked with unimaginable cruelty simply because they were Jews and Israelis,” Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a post on X.

Local police said 57 people were detained after the game as pro-Palestinian demonstrators tried to reach the Johan Cruyff Stadium, despite the city banning them from protesting there.

Police said fans left the stadium without incident, but several clashes were reported downtown during the night.

The Israeli military said it was preparing to immediately deploy a rescue mission coordinated by the Dutch government after the soccer match in which Ajax Amsterdam, traditionally identified as a Jewish club, beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0.

“The mission will be carried out using cargo aircraft and will include medical and rescue teams,” the Israel Defense Forces said.

Videos on social media showed crowds running through the streets and one man being beaten.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry did not initially comment on the Israeli government’s statements.

Israel says sentiment has been high in the Middle East and abroad since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 250 hostage.

At least 43,469 Palestinians were killed and 102,561 others were injured in Israel’s military offensive against Gaza in response to the Hamas attack, according to health officials in the enclave.

The Gaza war has sparked protests across Europe and the United States in support of both sides, and Arabs and Jews have come under attack.

Anti-Muslim politician Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch government’s largest party, condemned the reported attacks in Amsterdam in a post on X.

“It’s a shame that something like this can happen in the Netherlands. Totally unacceptable,” he said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has asked the Dutch government to help Israeli citizens arrive safely at the airport, Saar said in a phone call with his Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp on Friday. – Reuters