Maccabi/Ajax: Israeli soccer fans attacked in Amsterdam, Israeli authorities say

CNN
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Israeli soccer fans were attacked in a “serious incident of violence in Amsterdam” on Friday night, Israeli authorities said, and the government said it was sending planes to evacuate the affected citizens.

Hundreds of fans of the Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv were “ambushed and attacked in Amsterdam” on Thursday night as they left the stadium after a Europa League game against Ajax of the Netherlands, the Israeli embassy in the United States said on social media platform X.

A video released by the embassy on social media showed a video of violence against Maccabi fans.

CNN has not yet been able to verify the videos.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said 10 citizens were injured and advised citizens to stay in hotels.

“The reports give the impression that the situation is calming down in the last hour,” Saar said.

In a statement from his office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the violence “serious” and said he was ordering the “immediate release of two rescue planes” to help Israeli citizens.

The Israeli leader also called on the Dutch authorities to “act decisively and quickly against the rebels and ensure the peace of our citizens.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel reported on Friday night that about thirty people have been arrested so far. The statement did not say when the arrests were made or who was arrested.

Maccabi fans were in the Dutch capital ahead of Thursday’s Europa League game against Ajax.

Amsterdam police said they had increased their presence in the city center on Wednesday night, citing “tension” in several areas a day before the soccer match.

Officers “prevented a confrontation between a group of taxi drivers and a group of visitors who had come from a nearby casino” on Wednesday night, police said in a statement on X, marking another incident in which a Palestinian flag was torn down in central Amsterdam. unknown attackers.

Police also said a demonstration was planned for Thursday outside the stadium ahead of a soccer match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

This story is evolving and will be updated.