Dutch police detain a man at De Dam in Amsterdam after allegedly provoking Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters ahead of the UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Nov. 7. Photo by Jeroen Jumelet/EPA-EFE
Nov. 8 (UPI) — The Israeli government on Friday ordered the dispatch of two planes to Amsterdam to recuse citizens after violence clashes erupted between locals and Israelis in connection with a soccer game in the city. The violence erupted as Maccabi Tel Aviv FC was playing Ajax FC, both of the Europa League, in Amsterdam on Thursday night.
The Israel Foreign Ministry said hundreds of Israeli Maccabi supporters were “ambushed and brutally attacked” following the match, in which Ajax defeated Maccabi 5-0.
“Mobs chanted anti-Israel slogans and proudly shared videos of their violent acts on social media — kicking, beating, even running over Israeli citizens,” the ministry said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel early Friday ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam to rescue citizens.
The Israel Defense Forces said it was deploying the rescue mission.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof of the Netherlands confirmed in a statement that he had spoken with Netanyahu to stress that “the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted.”
He also stated that the situation in Amsterdam “is now calm once more.”
“[I] have been following the news from Amsterdam and am horrified by the antisemitic attacks on Israeli citizens. This is completely unacceptable,” he said.
Dutch police said in a Friday statement that 57 people had been arrested in connection to the violence, which occurred near the Johan Cruijff Arena where the game took place.