Following a football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, clashes erupted in Amsterdam between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans, resulting in almost 60 arrests, according to Tag24
The Amsterdam police reported that minor altercations occurred in several areas across the city, but specifics on injuries were not provided.
Characterized as "pogrom"
These clashes were characterized by the Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon as a "pogrom," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "violent incident directed against Israeli citizens."
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the "unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis" and communicated his concerns in a phone call with Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials arranged for two planes to bring Maccabi supporters home.
During the disturbances, Amsterdam police deployed mobile units to shield Israeli fans, escorting them to their hotels by bus for added safety.
Reports from AT5, an Amsterdam news outlet, indicated that some pro-Palestinian demonstrators threw chairs at Maccabi fans as they made their way back to the city center from the stadium.
Video footage circulating on social media shows heated exchanges, which prompted strong reactions from Israeli politicians who described the events as a “hunt” for Jewish individuals.
Geert Wilders, a right-wing Dutch politician, also condemned the clashes on social media, calling it a “pogrom in the streets of Amsterdam.”
Minor clashes before the game
Tensions had escalated earlier, with minor clashes reported before the game, resulting in around ten arrests related to public disorder and possession of fireworks.
To manage the situation, the Amsterdam city administration had banned demonstrations directly in front of the stadium, designating an alternative nearby location for protests and increasing security around the event.
