Israeli Football Fans Attacked In Amsterdam, Forced To Chant ‘Free Palestine’ | Video

Last Updated:November 08, 2024, 09:56 IST

Following a soccer match in Amsterdam, fans of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv were reportedly attacked by assailants, some carrying Palestinian flags.

Hundreds of fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv were reportedly attacked on the streets in Amsterdam on Thursday after the Israeli soccer team lost to local club Ajax. In several videos widely shared on social media, some assailants were also seen carrying Palestinian flags and shouting “Free Palestine”, while they also forced those attacked to chant the slogan.

According to CNN, the Israeli government said it was sending planes to evacuate affected citizens.

In an X post, the Israeli embassy in the US said the “soccer team were ambushed and attacked in Amsterdam tonight as they left the stadium following a game against Ajax.”

Releasing two helpline numbers, the embassy also stated Israelis in need of assistance should call one of the two numbers.

The embassy also shared a video of the attack on its X handle.

(The following video contains sensitive visuals and abuses. Viewers’ discretion is advised).

Israel’s former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in a self-released video on X, called out to the Dutch authorities to act immediately to prevent further injuries and loss of lives and said the Jews were being attacked at multiple locations in Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, the Times of Israel quoted multiple reports and said several Israelis were injured in the attack. It also said the passports of some of the targeted Israelis were stolen by the attackers.

According to The Jerusalem Post, a Spanish newspaper on Monday reported that a pro-Palestinian group was planning to protest outside the stadium where the football match was held. The group had also planned to target the Israeli team and its fans, it stated.

The report added that on Thursday, the NL Times reported that several individuals had been arrested for riots.

In an X post, Noa Tishby, former special envoy for combating antisemitism and delegitimisation of Israel, wrote, “We are receiving extremely disturbing footage coming out of Amsterdam where Israel’s soccer team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, was playing in a soccer match. Pro-Hamas hate mobs are attacking Jewish fans in the streets of Amsterdam. They’re beaten, kicked, run over, thrown in the river.”

“In one instance, a fan was reportedly held against his will until he said “Free Palestine”. When terrorist sympathizers chant globalize the intifada, this is what it looks like. Every one of these are anti-Jewish hate crimes, plain and simple,” (sic), she added.

NETANYAHU REACTS

In a statement from his office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the violence “serious” and said he was ordering the “immediate release of two rescue planes” to assist Israeli citizens, CNN reported.

He also urged Dutch authorities to “act firmly and quickly against the rioters and ensure the peace of our citizens.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry overnight Friday said about thirty people have been arrested so far. The statement did not say when those arrests were made or who was arrested, it stated.

SOCCER-MAN UNITED EARN FIRST WIN

Manchester United earned their first Europa League win with a 2-0 victory over PAOK, Tottenham Hotspur’s perfect start ended with a 3-2 loss at Galatasaray and Lazio top the standings after a 2-1 victory over Porto on Thursday.

Ajax strolled to a 5-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, Athletic Bilbao came from behind to beat Ludogorets 2-1 and Anderlecht were denied joining Lazio on top as a late own goal left them with a draw in Latvia at RFS.

A brace from Amad Diallo gave United their first success in this season’s competition, coming under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy after they had drawn the previous three games with Erik ten Hag was in charge.