Amsterdam riots: five injured and 62 arrests from the beating of Maccabi fans – Hostage-taking incident also under investigation

Published by Protothema on Fri, 11/08/2024 - 10:51

A possible hostage incident following last night’s events in Amsterdam and the attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans is being investigated by the Amsterdam Police, according to a morning briefing and just before a scheduled press conference.

In addition, it gives details of the injured and arrests made and Israel has scheduled emergency flights today and tomorrow for the safe return of Israelis to Tel Aviv.

In its briefing, the Dutch capital’s police said characteristically that: “Various reports are circulating on social media about last night’s events in Amsterdam. Police have launched a major investigation into multiple violent incidents. So far, it is known that five people have been taken to hospital and 62 people have been arrested. The police are aware of reports of possible hostage situations and missing persons, but at the moment they have no confirmation that this has taken place. This aspect is also under investigation.”

Israelis speak of “pogrom”

Meanwhile, Israel’s foreign ministry earlier said three people were missing after a brutal attack – described as a pogrom by the Jerusalem Post – by fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam after the end of the match against Ajax.

In its statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry urged Israelis in Amsterdam to stay in their hotels. “Avoid traveling on the streets and lock yourselves in your hotels. Displaying Israeli and Jewish symbols should be avoided.” was the directive from Israel’s National Security Council.

Reports from Israel and the Netherlands say the Israeli embassy in Amsterdam is helping to move the Israelis to safety with the Netanyahu government sending planes to repatriate them. Shortly before 9:30 it was reported that security forces had been deployed in Amsterdam to make movement to the airport safe, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry clarified to Israelis in the Dutch capital that they can safely use public transport to get to the airport.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government on Friday morning backtracked on a plan to send an IDF rescue team to the Netherlands to ensure the smooth return of Maccabi fans to Tel Aviv.

The office of Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that after an assessment and on the recommendation of officials, “it was decided that it is not necessary to send a professional rescue mission to the Netherlands.”

The army in a statement also confirmed the above announcement, saying that“by the directive of the civilian echelon, no IDF delegation will go to Amsterdam.”Instead, efforts will focus on civilian flights to bring the Israelis back to their country.

Indeed, in this context, the Israeli airline El Al announced that it will operate rescue flights from the Netherlands to Israel both Friday night and Saturday from Amsterdam. El Al does not normally operate services on the Sabbath, by traditional Jewish religious law.

The flights will be free for all passengers who have booked a round-trip ticket from Amsterdam to Israel with El Al and all other airlines.

The first flight will depart Amsterdam at 2 p.m. local time and will arrive back in Israel on Friday night, El Al said. It adds that two scheduled flights will also depart Amsterdam for Tel Aviv later today, each carrying about 350 passengers.

The shocking videos

Video footage of the attacks shows masked men chanting “Free Palestine” while others held Palestinian flags.

The Dutch report that among the injured are some with knife wounds, while some have dived into the icy waters of the canals surrounding Amsterdam to escape the raging crowd

According to Dutch media, the outbreak of the riots was prompted by Israeli actions to tear down Palestinian flags that were hanging in house windows.

Israeli supporters for their part denounce an organized plot. They claim that police left Maccabi Tel Aviv fans alone and provided no escort when they boarded trains or headed to their hotels.

“The Dutch police sold us out so the Arabs could lynch us,” a fan said after arriving at Amsterdam airport injured and covered in blood, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that Dutch authorities and security forces act in an “immediate” and “forceful” manner and “guarantee the safety of our citizens” after the “horrific” incident, which he treats with “the utmost seriousness.”

Israel’s security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed via X that “fans who went to watch a football match were attacked with unimaginable cruelty simply because they are Jewish and Israeli.”

The post Amsterdam riots: five injured and 62 arrests from the beating of Maccabi fans – Hostage-taking incident also under investigation appeared first on ProtoThema English.

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