Israeli soccer fans clash with protesters in Amsterdam | News on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Details of the incidents are unclear, but Maccabi Tel Aviv fans damaged Palestinian flags in the city before the game.

According to media reports and officials, clashes broke out between Israeli soccer fans and apparently pro-Palestinian protesters before and after a Europa League soccer match between their team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam.

The clashes reportedly occurred on Thursday evening outside the Johan Cruyff Arena, the city’s main arena and the home stadium of Ajax Amsterdam. Ajax won the game 5-0 after leading 3-0 at half-time.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said 10 Israelis were injured and two were “missing” following the clashes, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said planes would be sent to repatriate citizens.

Netanyahu “views the terrible incident with the utmost seriousness and calls on the Dutch government and security forces to take strong and swift action against the rioters and ensure the safety of our citizens,” his office said in a statement on Friday.

It was not clear what led to what it called a “very violent incident against Israeli citizens,” but Dutch broadcaster AT5 reported clashes between fans at the game on Thursday night.

There were numerous fights and acts of vandalism in the city center, the report said, and “a large number” of mobile units and reinforcements were called in.

At least 57 people were arrested after the game, a police spokesman told the ANP news agency, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators tried to reach the stadium despite the city banning them from protesting there.

However, police said fans left the stadium without incident, but there were several clashes in the city center during the night.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was following news of the fighting with “horror,” adding that “the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted.”

In a Friday post on the social media platform

The Israeli military said on Friday it was preparing to immediately deploy a rescue mission coordinated by the Dutch government, including medical and rescue teams.

“Damaged flags”

Palestinian and Israeli media reports suggested that violence broke out between Ajax and Maccabi fans in Tel Aviv when Israeli fans damaged Palestinian flags in the city.

On Thursday, police said on social media that they were being particularly vigilant over politically sensitive incidents, including the tearing down of a Palestinian flag from a building.

Videos on social media captured the alleged incident, showing Israeli fans shouting slogans while one person lowered the flag.

According to media reports, there were also clashes with police before the game as hundreds of Maccabi fans gathered in the city’s central square and set off fireworks.

Clashes reportedly broke out despite Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema banning a pro-Palestinian demonstration amid fears it would lead to clashes between protesters and Israeli football club supporters.

The Israeli club was founded in 1906 in Jaffa, now part of Tel Aviv. This season they are at the bottom of the Europa League table in 35th place out of 36.

The next game in the Europa League will take place on November 28th against Turkish team Besiktas based in Istanbul. However, following a decision by the Turkish authorities, the game will be played at a “neutral venue”.