TRANSCRIPT
Five people were injured and 62 were arrested in Amsterdam after violent clashes erupted between Israeli and Dutch football fans.
The clashes broke out after a Europa League football match between Amsterdam club Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Dutch authorities say young people on scooters attacked the Israeli fans in hit-and-run assaults that were apparently fuelled by calls spread on social media to target Jewish people.
Prior to the match, Israeli supporters were seen demonstrating with flares outside, tearing down Palestinian flags and shouting anti-Arab slogans.
The violence is being condemned by both Dutch and Israeli leaders as antisemitic, including the Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
"Let's say that I am ashamed that this happened in the Netherlands, and it is a terrible antisemitic attack and we will not tolerate. And we will prosecute the perpetrators and I am deeply ashamed that it could happen in the Netherlands in 2024.”
In response to the clashes, Israel sent planes to Amsterdam to return the fans to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered the Mossad spy agency to draw up plans to prevent future violence at sporting events.
The head of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ben Mansford, says the side's fans were attacked because of their Jewishness.
"I think football fans across the across Europe and across the world have been, have been shocked by what we experienced last night. We feel a great sense of solidarity with football clubs, and I think to all of them that have reached out to us as a club and to all of them that have supported us in the last few hours, thank you very much."
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has condemned the violence and says the desecration of the Palestinian flag and violent anti-Arab chants from Israeli supporters should also be investigated.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is in the Netherlands and says he trusts the Dutch government will punish those responsible.
"I came to the Netherlands with a very bad feeling. Amsterdam specifically and the Netherlands as a whole is perceived as a place where Israelis want to be, want to go. But the horrible attacks yesterday gave the feeling that it's not secure for Jews or Israelis and this is very tragic.”
Dutch authorities have placed a ban on demonstrations in the area for three days.
The Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, says it's a dark day for Amsterdam.
"But let me be clear. This is an extraordinarily dark moment in our city's history. And it also really detracts from what we are proud of in Amsterdam. So, I am ashamed about that. I am ashamed of the behaviour displayed last night by rioters and criminals. It is not Amsterdam-like and they should be deeply ashamed."
