The Dutch king says his country failed the Jewish community during attacks on soccer fans in Amsterdam

The King of the Netherlands said his nation had “abandoned” the Jewish community as it did “during World War II” when Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam

In a conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, King Willem-Alexander expressed “deep horror and shock.” Mr Herzog quoted him as saying: “We failed the Jewish community of the Netherlands during the Second World War” – a reference to the Nazi occupation – “and last night we failed again.”

King Willem-Alexander also said: “We cannot turn a blind eye to anti-Semitic behavior on our streets” – adding that history “has taught us how intimidation gets worse and has terrible consequences.”

“Jews must feel safe everywhere and at all times in the Netherlands. We put our arms around them and we will not let them go,” he said.

Amsterdam’s mayor condemned the “anti-Semitic hit-and-run attacks” on Israeli soccer fans as “a dark day” in the city’s history – with Israel sending commercial planes to fans’ homes.

A full investigation has been ordered after up to 30 Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were injured, including five who were taken to hospital, in attacks following the club’s Europa League match against Ajax on Thursday night. At least 62 people were arrested by police, ten of whom were still in custody as of Friday afternoon.

At a press conference, Mayor Femke Halsema said: “Amsterdam looks back on a black night and today is still a dark day. “Anti-Semitic, hate-filled rioters and criminals attacked Jewish visitors to our city yesterday and last night.”

She added: “Boys rode around town on scooters looking for Maccabi supporters. A hit-and-run was committed. Football fans were attacked and then the rioters once again fled from the police, who were there in large numbers.”

One supporter told Dutch state broadcaster NOS: “We don’t feel safe… You come to the game to have fun, but I can’t believe what happened here. “I come here to vacation but saw it “Looks like a war zone.”

Security measures have been increased in the city, where hundreds gathered on Thursday to commemorate Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom against Jews across Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

Anti-Semitic incidents have increased in the Netherlands since Israel began its attack on Gaza following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostage. Israel’s retaliatory air and ground attack in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 43,000 people, according to the latest information from the Gaza Health Ministry. Many Jewish organizations and schools in the Netherlands have reported threats and hate mail.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the order to send planes came after “a very violent incident.” Israeli airlines El Al and Arkia announced five flights to Amsterdam.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar will also travel to the city on Friday for an “urgent” visit, his office said. The military has banned all employees from entering the Netherlands until further notice.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was “appalled by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens,” which he called “completely unacceptable.”

Mr. Schoof said he assured Mr. Netanyahu by telephone that “the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted.”

Ms Halsema said the Dutch anti-terror watchdog had identified no specific threat to Israeli fans before the game, but a large police response had been mobilized to ensure security due to political tensions and the anniversary of the Nazi pogrom on Kristallnacht to ensure.

According to police, there were incidents before the game, which involved around 3,000 Maccabi supporters traveling to Amsterdam. Israeli fans were seen on video shouting anti-Arab slogans at one point in the street, and police chief Peter Holla told reporters that a Palestinian flag was burned and a taxi was attacked by Maccabi supporters. The footage also appeared to show Maccabi fans ignoring a minute’s silence for victims of the Spanish floods.

Police added that dozens of people were arrested after the game as pro-Palestinian protesters tried to reach the Johan Cruyff Arena, despite the city banning a protest there.

Mr Holla said there had been two previous incidents when Maccabi supporters gathered at Dam Square, including fights, hit-and-runs and the setting off of fireworks. However, this remained controllable.

But as Maccabi supporters walked through the city center after the game, “rioters carried out hit-and-run attacks on Israeli fans,” after which “serious abuse occurred.”

A video on social media showed a group of men running near Amsterdam Central Station, chasing and attacking other men as police sirens blared.

Between 20 and 30 Maccabi fans were injured, including five who were taken to hospital and have since been discharged, Mr Holla said, adding he was “particularly shocked” that police were unable to do so despite mobilizing around 800 officers to control or prevent the violence, including six riot teams.

The Israeli embassy in The Hague said mobs chanted anti-Israel slogans and shared videos of their violence on social media, in which they “kicked, hit and even ran over Israeli citizens.”

“On the eve of Kristallnacht – when Jews in Nazi Germany were subjected to brutal attacks – it is frightening to witness renewed anti-Semitic violence on the streets of Europe,” it said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the violence was reminiscent of “the darkest hour in history” and vowed that France would “continue to fight tirelessly against vile anti-Semitism.”

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, said that Jews must feel safe in Europe and that “anyone who attacks Jews is attacking us all.” He added: “We cannot accept that.”

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report