Attack on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam, Netanyahu preparing rescue mission
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
In Amsterdam, football fans from Israel were attacked by people wearing masks and carrying Palestinian flags. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for two planes to be sent to bring Israeli citizens back home, according to The Times of Israel.
As of now, it is known that ten Israelis were injured. Some have not yet been able to contact anyone.
The leaders of Israel and the Netherlands condemned the attacks, calling them anti-Semitic.
Israel has officially stated that it holds the Dutch government responsible for the safety of its citizens, while also announcing plans to send planes for a rescue operation. These planes will evacuate all fans in need of assistance from Amsterdam.
Some horrifying "just anti-Zionism" in Amsterdam tonight as Israeli soccer fans are lynched by huge pro-Palestine mobs. Where are the police?! pic.twitter.com/HMwQgCwJMi
— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) November 8, 2024
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a recommendation for all Israeli citizens to stay in their hotels.
The Netherlands, in turn, reported that the situation was likely stabilized, and as a result of operations, dozens of arrests were made. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the "unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis," adding that he had already spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
It is still unclear how the violence started. Palestinian supporters claimed that Israelis attacked Arabs in the city and damaged flags. Fans, on the other hand, said they were attacked by organized gangs that set up ambushes near the stadium and their hotels. The attackers acted in groups, many of them wearing masks, and some even carried Palestinian flags. These attacks appeared to be well-coordinated and further escalated tensions in the region.
Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv hooligans, protected by police, chanted anti-Arab slurs and a genocidal song in Amsterdam, including lines like “no schools in Gaza because there are no children left” & “Let the IDF win to fuck the Arabs”.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 8, 2024
They also attacked Palestinian flags.
This… pic.twitter.com/MIposXA2vx
"Many of the attackers were masked and some carried Palestinian flags. Footage on social media showed attackers chasing Israelis, beating them and at times kicking them while they were on the ground," the media adds.
Israel's war with Hamas
On October 7, Hamas militants launched a large-scale attack on Israel, resulting in numerous civilian deaths and kidnappings. In response, Israel launched an operation.
Meanwhile, in Türkiye, a Muslim country, a significant portion of the population has expressed support for Hamas. There have been numerous rallies in support of Palestine in the country.
Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan initiated negotiations with Hamas regarding the potential release of Israeli citizens who were captured during the conflict.
