Following a soccer match in Amsterdam, 57 people were arrested amid violent clashes connected to the game between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Israeli government labeled the incidents as antisemitic attacks, prompting international scrutiny and an investigation.
Unrest in Amsterdam: Soccer Match Sparks Violence and Arrests
Unrest in Amsterdam: Soccer Match Sparks Violence and Arrests
A soccer game between Dutch team Ajax and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv leads to multiple arrests, with officials citing antisemitism as a cause of the violence.
Dozens of arrests unfolded in Amsterdam on Thursday as violence flared during a soccer match featuring Ajax, a prominent Dutch team, and Maccabi Tel Aviv from Israel. The unrest, which resulted in 57 arrests according to a police statement, has been characterized by Israeli officials as motivated by antisemitism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that two planes would be dispatched to the Netherlands to assist Israeli citizens affected by the events. Itamar Ben-Gvir, serving as Israel's national security minister, took to social media to assert that the Israeli government is collaborating with Dutch authorities to investigate what he termed cruel antisemitic attacks against Maccabi supporters. The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported injuries to at least ten Israelis amid the chaos, with two Israeli citizens still unaccounted for.
The Dutch police's statements did not explicitly link the violence to antisemitism, and they focused instead on arrests made in the context of public disorder during the game, which took place at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Tensions ran high in the city as various groups gathered, some supporting Maccabi, while others voiced protests against the team's presence.
Prior to the match, several hundred supporters of Maccabi gathered in Amsterdam's city center, where initial tensions gave way to a slightly calmer environment. Ten individuals were arrested for causing disturbances there. However, the situation escalated near Anton de Komplein square, which is close to the stadium, when a protest against Maccabi Tel Aviv's arrival led to confrontations with military police. Mayor Femke Halsema had previously prohibited demonstrations at the stadium, directing them instead to this square.
In the ensuing melee, about 30 protesters were taken into custody, charged with disrupting public order and firing fireworks at police officers. Ben-Gvir emphasized the severity of the incidents, claiming that fans at the soccer match were assaulted solely based on their Jewish identity.
Gideon Saar, the newly appointed Israeli foreign minister, also confirmed that his ministry was actively working with Dutch authorities to respond to the violence and assist those in need. The unfolding situation has garnered significant attention, shedding light on the complexities surrounding international sports events and the political tensions that can erupt alongside them.
This incident continues to develop, with various agencies monitoring the situation closely for further updates as investigations proceed.
