Antisemitic Riot in Amsterdam 11/08 05:32

   Amsterdam police said Friday that five people were hospitalized and 62 
arrested after what authorities described as systematic violence by antisemitic 
rioters targeting Israeli fans following a soccer match.

   AMSTERDAM (AP) -- Amsterdam police said Friday that five people were 
hospitalized and 62 arrested after what authorities described as systematic 
violence by antisemitic rioters targeting Israeli fans following a soccer match.

   The Dutch and Israeli leaders denounced the violence, and condemnation 
poured in from Jewish groups. Israel's foreign minister left on an urgent 
diplomatic trip to the Netherlands. Security concerns have shrouded matches 
with Israeli teams in multiple countries over the past year because of global 
tensions linked to the wars in the Middle East.

   The Amsterdam police said in a post on X that they have started a major 
investigation into multiple violent incidents. The post did not provide further 
details about those injured or detained in Thursday night's violence following 
the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

   Authorities said extra police would patrol Amsterdam in coming days, and 
security will be beefed up at Jewish institutions in the city that has a large 
Jewish community and was home to Jewish World War II diarist Anne Frank and her 
family as they hid from Nazi occupiers.

   Earlier, a statement issued by the Dutch capital's municipality, police and 
prosecution office said that the night "was very turbulent with several 
incidents of violence aimed at Maccabi supporters'' after antisemitic rioters 
"actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them."

   It was not immediately clear when and where violence erupted after the match.

   "In several places in the city, supporters were attacked. The police had to 
intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels. 
Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters have been 
injured," the Amsterdam statement said.

   "This outburst of violence toward Israeli supporters is unacceptable and 
cannot be defended in any way. There is no excuse for the antisemitic behavior 
exhibited last night," it added.

   The violence erupted despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration near 
the soccer stadium imposed by Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, who had feared 
that clashes would break out between protesters and supporters of the Israeli 
soccer club.

   There were also incidents involving fans ahead of the match. Dutch 
broadcaster NOS reported that a Palestinian flag was ripped off a building in 
the center of the city and riot police blocked pro-Palestinian supporters 
trying to march toward the Johan Cruyff Arena stadium where the match was being 
played.

   Israel initially ordered that two planes be sent to the Dutch capital to 
bring the Israelis home, but later the prime minister's office said it would 
work on "providing civil aviation solutions for the return of our citizens."

   A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that "the 
harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be 
overlooked," and that Netanyahu "views the horrifying incident with utmost 
gravity." He demanded that the Dutch government take "vigorous and swift 
action" against those involved.

   Netanyahu's office added that he had called for increased security for the 
Jewish community in the Netherlands.

   Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X that he followed reports of the 
violence "with horror."

   "Completely unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close 
contact with everyone involved," he added, saying that he had spoken to 
Netanyahu and "emphasized that the perpetrators will be tracked down and 
prosecuted. It is now quiet in the capital."

   Security issues around hosting games against visiting Israeli teams led the 
Belgian soccer federation to decline to stage a men's Nations League game in 
September. That game against Israel was played in Hungary with no fans in the 
stadium.

   The violence in Amsterdam will lead to a review of security at two games 
this month being organized by European soccer body UEFA. France plays Israel at 
Stade de France near Paris next Thursday in the Nations League and Maccabi Tel 
Aviv's next Europa League game is scheduled in Istanbul on Nov. 28 against 
Besiktas.

   Ajax won the Europa League match 5-0.