Newscasts - Israeli soccer fans attacked by "antisemitic squads" in Amsterdam

AFC Ajax NV

08/11/2024 16:57

Click the following link to watch video: https://share.newscasts.refinitiv.com/link?entryId=1_v84cs708&referenceId=tag:reuters.com,2024:newsml_RW840308112024RP1_K15&pageId=Newscasts
Source: 'Reuters - General news videos'

Description: Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday after
overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the mayor called
"antisemitic hit-and-run squads," and Israel said it would fly many fans home.
Sean Hogan reports.
Short Link: https://refini.tv/4hDNtOS

Video Transcript:

After what officials described as "anti-Semitic attacks" on Israeli soccer
fans overnight in Amsterdam, Israel was sending commercial planes to The
Netherlands on Friday to bring them home. Videos on social media showed riot
police intervening in clashes, with some attackers shouting anti-Israeli
slurs. Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, says she is furious and described
Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters being attacked by "anti-Semitic hit-and-run
squads" who evaded police across the city.

I understand very well that this brings back memories of violent riots, and
that for this to happen in Amsterdam, is unbearable and indigestible. Last
night, not only our people were injured, our history, the history of our city
has been deeply damaged. Our Jewish life, our Jewish culture, is under threat,
and these are an indispensable and inalienable part of our city.

These fans saw the attacks unfold in Dam Square.

They came really late.

They came too late.

They came when a lot of people were already hurt, injured, some of them
probably got to the hospital. I do not know if 100% sure information if they
got to the hospitals but no one can reach them.

Police said 62 suspects were detained after the game as pro-Palestinian
demonstrators tried to reach the Johan Cruyff Arena, even though the city had
forbidden a protest there. Some footage also showed Maccabi Tel Aviv
supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans before Thursday evening's match. Earlier
in the day, hundreds of Maccabi fans gathered ahead of their match with Ajax
Amsterdam, traditionally identified as a Jewish club. Many set off flares and
chanted in the streets. Some fans were heard singing "Let the IDF win" and
directing swear words at Arabs. Demonstrations have now been banned through
the weekend and police have been given emergency stop-and-search powers in
response to the unrest. Security measures were already increased in the
capital as hundreds gathered on Thursday to remember Kristallnacht, the Nazi
pogrom against Jews across Germany in November 1938. Anti-Semitic incidents
have surged in the Netherlands since Israel launched its assault on Gaza after
the attacks on Israel by the Palestinian Hamas group on October 7, 2023. Many
Jewish organizations and schools have reported threats and hate mail. Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the order to send planes was
taken after "a very violent incident" targeting Israeli citizens. Israeli
airlines announced five flights to Amsterdam. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof
called the attack "completely unacceptable" and said he had assured Netanyahu
by phone the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted