Israeli Fans Attacked in Amsterdam After Soccer Match; Netanyahu Orders Rescue Flights

Netanyahu Orders Rescue Flights for Israeli Fans: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the dispatch of two rescue planes to Amsterdam following violent attacks on Israeli fans after a soccer match. These incidents, reportedly fueled by anti-Semitic sentiments, occurred after a Europa League game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam.

Attack Details: Fans Targeted After Match

The violence erupted after Maccabi Tel Aviv's 5-0 defeat to Ajax. Israeli supporters, who had traveled to the Netherlands for the game, were assaulted while leaving the stadium. Reports indicate that several Israeli fans were injured in the attacks. Local police have arrested 57 individuals, most of whom were pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempting to protest near the Johan Cruyff stadium, despite a city-wide protest ban.

Clashes Continue in City Center

While fans initially left the stadium without incident, violence flared up later in the evening in Amsterdam’s city center. The assaults have drawn widespread international condemnation, as global leaders strongly criticized the anti-Semitic nature of the attacks.

Israeli Authorities Urge Citizens to Stay Safe

Israel’s National Security Ministry has urged its citizens in Amsterdam to stay inside their hotel rooms for their safety. Both the ministry and the Prime Minister's office have expressed grave concern over the violence, highlighting that the attacks were aimed at Israelis solely because of their Jewish identity.

Israeli Leaders Condemn the Violence

Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced the attacks, stating on X, “Fans who went to see a football game encountered anti-Semitism and were attacked with unimaginable cruelty just because of their Jewishness and Israeliness.”

Global Outrage: Leaders Speak Out

Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, compared the violence to a modern-day pogrom. He described the attacks as a reflection of the extreme forces Israel faces, stating, “We are receiving very disturbing reports of extreme violence against Israelis and Jews on the streets of Holland. There is a pogrom currently taking place in Europe in 2024.” He called on the international community, especially the United Nations, to swiftly address the violence and condemn the actions of Palestinian supporters.

International Condemnation: Politicians Call for Action

Canadian MP Melissa Lantsman also condemned the attacks, calling the scenes in Amsterdam "absolutely horrific." Lantsman likened the situation to “what ‘globalize the intifada’ looks like” and urged the global community to take a stand against the mob violence.

U.S. lawmakers were similarly vocal in their condemnation. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) linked the violence to the rise of anti-Semitic rhetoric worldwide, which he said had been exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He called the violence in Amsterdam the "single most monstrous manifestation of antisemitism."

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) joined the calls for justice, urging the Netherlands government to take immediate action to protect Jewish citizens. “This is outrageous. The government of the Netherlands must protect Jews from these attacks and prosecute the assailants,” Sherman said. He also revealed plans to organize a group of Jewish members of Congress to meet with the Dutch ambassador to discuss the situation.

lobal Call for Action Against Anti-Semitism

The attack in Amsterdam has triggered a global outcry, with politicians and leaders around the world demanding justice and calling for stronger action against anti-Semitism. As tensions rise, the international community faces a pivotal moment in addressing hate-driven violence.

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