Night of chaos in Amsterdam: Israeli soccer fans need emergency flights home
Dutch authorities detained dozens after street attacks on Israeli soccer supporters in Amsterdam. Two rescue planes were sent to bring hundreds of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans back to Israel
In a night of un-expected violence Israeli soccer fans faced attacks in Amsterdamʼs streets after Maccabi Tel Avivʼs match against Ajax (a club with historic Jewish ties). The local authorities sent riot-police to protect visitors who got hit by fire-works and faced physical assault
Mayor Femke Halsema described how Maccabi supporters needed police escorts to reach their hotels; at least 5 people went to hospital for treatment. The timing was extra-sensitive because it happened right before the yearly Kristallnacht remembrance day
Benjamin Netanyahuʼs office quickly arranged two commercial planes to get their citizens home: this decision came after what they called a very-serious incident. Dutch leader Dick Schoof phoned Netanyahu and promised to find those responsible; meanwhile anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders made controversial statements about deportation
The police caught 62 people who tried to get near Johan Cruyff Arena where Ajax won 5-0. This event shows growing problems in the Netherlands where Jewish places got more threats since mid-fall of last year
On the eve of Kristallnacht — when Jews in Nazi Germany faced brutal attacks — it is horrifying to witness antisemitic violence on the streets of Europe once again
Israeli airlines El Al and Arkia sent rescue flights while Isaac Herzog spoke about how these scenes reminded him of past events. The local officials planned a mid-day meeting to discuss what happened in their city
