The Dutch king says Jewish folks should really feel secure within the Netherlands, after violent assaults in opposition to Israeli soccer followers within the centre of Amsterdam.
Willem-Alexander stated “our historical past has taught us how intimidation goes from dangerous to worse,” including that the nation couldn’t ignore “antisemitic behaviour”.
Youths on scooters had criss-crossed the Dutch capital in “hit-and-run” assaults on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters who had been visiting Amsterdam for a Europa League match, authorities stated.
Police stated 5 folks had been handled in hospital and others suffered minor accidents. At the least 62 folks have been arrested.
“My coronary heart goes out to the victims and to their households right here and in Israel as nicely.” Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema advised a press convention on Friday.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof flew again early from a summit of EU leaders in Budapest the place he stated he had been following developments with horror.
“The perpetrators might be tracked down and prosecuted,” he promised.
The violence on Thursday night time was condemned by leaders throughout Europe, the US and Israel. For a lot of, it was particularly stunning approaching the eve of commemorations marking Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogroms in opposition to German Jews.
Three-quarters of Dutch Jews had been murdered through the Holocaust in World Struggle Two.
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The king alluded to that historical past, saying: “Jews should really feel secure within the Netherlands, all over the place and always. We put our arms round them and won’t allow them to go.”
US President Joe Biden stated the assaults “echo darkish moments in historical past when Jews had been persecuted”.
There had already been hassle and a few arrests the night time earlier than Thursday’s match, involving Maccabi followers in addition to pro-Palestinian protesters.
Police chief Peter Holla confirmed there had been incidents “on either side”. Israeli supporters had eliminated a Palestinian flag from a wall and set it alight and attacked a taxi, though there had been no additional hassle till the next night time, he stated.
There have been additionally studies of supporters setting off fireworks. One unverified video confirmed followers happening an escalator chanting anti-Arab slogans.
The Palestinian Ministry of Overseas Affairs condemned “anti-Arab chants” and an “assault on the Palestinian flag,” calling on the Dutch authorities to “defend Palestinians and Arabs” dwelling within the Netherlands.
The nationwide co-ordinator for combating antisemitism within the Netherlands stated a line had been crossed and the “readiness to commit such violence was disgusting”.
EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockMayor Halsema stated Dutch counter-terror co-ordinator NCTV had not flagged any concrete risk in regards to the sport itself as there was no animosity between the followers of the 2 golf equipment. There was no hassle on the sport by which Ajax inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat on the visiting crew.
However the unrest spiralled uncontrolled quickly afterwards. Halsema spoke of followers being “attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks” as they walked from the Johan Cruyff Area to the centre of Amsterdam.
Police initially stated it was unclear who had taken half within the riots, though the mayor later spoke of younger males on scooters. She was cautious to not give particulars in regards to the ethnic backgrounds of these concerned within the assault, emphasising that it was a part of the police investigation.
A number of movies circulated on social media, with one exhibiting a person being kicked and overwhelmed on the bottom and one other exhibiting somebody being run over. In some unverified movies, folks could possibly be heard shouting pro-Palestinian slogans.
Two British guests stated they got here beneath assault as they tried to assist an Israeli overwhelmed up by folks on mopeds. Jacob, 33, advised the BBC he noticed “10 folks stamping and kicking” the person, and that that they had seen “plenty of little gangs chasing folks”.
EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockRequested whether or not locals had been provoked by a Palestinian flag being torn down within the metropolis, the mayor stated what had occurred within the centre of her metropolis had nothing to do with protests in regards to the scenario within the Center East.
“I’m deeply ashamed of the behaviour that unfolded,” Halsema advised reporters. “On Telegram [messaging] teams folks talked of going to search out Jews. It is so horrible I can not discover the phrases for it.”
The mayor confirmed studies that taxi drivers had been concerned within the assaults, after the top of the Netherlands’ Central Jewish Committee (CJO) stated that they had “moved in teams and cornered their targets”.
Israeli airline El Al stated it was working two “rescue flights” to Amsterdam to carry passengers again to Israel.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of a “pogrom” in opposition to Maccabi followers and Israeli residents.
Herzog stated on X that he trusted the Dutch authorities would act instantly to “defend, find and rescue all Israelis and Jews beneath assault”.
The violence in Amsterdam has raised questions on safety for Israeli followers elsewhere in Europe.
Israel’s nationwide safety council urged followers to keep away from a basketball sport within the Italian metropolis of Bologna on Friday night due to the chance of “copycat actions”.
