Top diplomats of Israel, Netherlands discuss Amsterdam incident
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has spoken with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, about the attack against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam, according to the ministry.
It said on X that Saar requested the Dutch government’s assistance in securing the departure of the fans from the hotels to the airport in Amsterdam. “Minister Saar emphasised the seriousness with which Israel views the widespread violent attacks against its citizens throughout Amsterdam tonight,” the ministry said.
The Netherlands should indeed deport these soccer hooligans.
Fast facts: Maccabi Tel Aviv football clu
- The club was founded in 1906 in Jaffa, now part of Tel Aviv, and was originally named HaRishon Le Zion-Yafo Association.
- It has won more domestic titles than any other Israeli club and has never been relegated from the top tier of Israeli football.
- Its fans have a long history of racism and anti-Palestinian behaviour, with the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine describing it as “Israel’s most racist soccer club”.
- The club has played in both the Champions League and Europa League group stages.
- Last season, it played in the UEFA Europa Conference League, reaching the round of 16, the third tier of continental club football in Europe.
- The club is languishing at the bottom of the Europa League table this season, at position 35 out of 36.
- Its next game in the Europa League on November 28. It is against Turkish team Besiktas, which is based in Istanbul. However, following a decision by the Turkish authorities, the match will be played in a “neutral venue”.
Five injured, 62 arrested in Amsterdam riots involving Israeli football fans
Investigations are under way into multiple violent incidents involving fans of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv football club and pro-Palestinian protesters. Amsterdam police said five injured people were taken to hospital and 62 others arrested after a spate of incidents on Thursday.
“The police are aware of reports about a possible hostage situation and missing persons, but currently have no confirmation that this has actually happened. This is also being investigated,” a statement said. “A number of people who were reported missing have now been found.”
EU chief condemns ‘vile attacks’ on Israelis in Amsterdam
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she’s “outraged” by “vile attacks targeting Israeli citizens in Amsterdam” after clashes following a football match led to arrests and hospitalisations.
“I strongly condemn these unacceptable acts,” von der Leyen wrote after speaking with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. “Anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in Europe. And we are determined to fight all forms of hatred.”
