Amsterdam, Netherlands

Riots erupted in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam on Thursday (Nov 7) evening ahead of the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israeli football club). It is claimed that Israeli fans were allegedly attacked by pro-Palenstine supporters with several left injured. Maccabi fans said confrontations started when objects were hurled at them after they had left a local pub. The Israelis would then respond in self-defence.

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Israeli fans attacked in Amsterdam

With Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv set to square off in the Europa League, fans from Israel arrived in the Dutch city on Wednesday. However, there was no smooth functioning for the fans as they were attacked by a base of pro-Palestinian supporters living in the capital. A clip showed what was said to be a Maccabi supporter who was pushed into an Amsterdam canal and forced to say “free Palestine.”

During hours-long riots that ensued, a group of Israelis took a Palestinian flag down from a residential building in central Amsterdam.

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“On Rokin [Street], a Palestinian flag was pulled from a house front by currently unknown individuals. On Max Euwe Square, police prevented a confrontation between a group of taxi drivers and a group of visitors who emerged from the adjacent casino,” the police statement said.

At the time of writing, no casualties were reported with several Israeli fans sustaining minor injuries.

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Netanyahu orders rescue planes for Israeli football fans

After the attacks on fans, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered rescue planes to help Maccabi Tel Aviv fans get back to the nation on priority. Netanyahu has reportedly spoken to the Israeli embassy in Amsterdam before the decision was taken on Friday (Nov 8) morning.

European football’s governing body – UEFA is yet to speak on the issue with actions soon expected. A similar incident earlier this year took place when Israel were set to play Scotland in the Nations League. Due to fan tension, the fixture was played behind closed doors to avoid any violence.