Israeli football fans have clashed with apparent pro-Palestinian protesters before and after a Europa League football match between their team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax in Amsterdam, according to media reports and officials.
The clashes reportedly took place outside the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday night, the city’s main arena and Ajax Amsterdam’s home stadium. Ajax won the match 5-0 after leading 3-0 at halftime.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 10 Israelis were injured and two were “missing” after the clashes, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said planes would be sent to bring back its citizens.
Netanyahu “views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity and demands that the Dutch government and security forces take vigorous and swift action against the rioters, and ensure the safety of our citizens”, his office said in a statement on Friday.
It did not clarify what led to what it called a “very violent incident against Israeli citizens”, but Dutch broadcaster AT5 reported clashes on Thursday night between fans at the match.
Numerous fights and acts of vandalism had occurred in the city centre, the report said, adding that “a large number” of mobile units and reinforcements were called in.
At least 57 people were arrested after the match, a police spokesperson told the ANP news agency, as pro-Palestine demonstrators had tried to reach the stadium, although the city had forbidden them to protest there.
However, police said the fans left the stadium without incidents, but several clashes in the city centre were reported during the night.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he followed the news of the fights with “horror”, adding that “the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted”.
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