We should not flip a blind eye to anti-Semitism, says Dutch king after assaults on Israeli followers

The Dutch king says Jews should really feel protected within the Netherlands, after violent assaults on Israeli followers in central Amsterdam.

Willem-Alexander stated that “our historical past has taught us how intimidation goes from dangerous to worse,” including that the nation can not ignore “anti-Semitic habits.”

Youths on scooters had pushed by way of the Dutch capital in a hit-and-run assault on Maccabi Tel Aviv followers who have been visiting Amsterdam for a Europa League match, authorities stated.

Police stated 5 individuals have been handled in hospital and others suffered minor accidents. At least 62 individuals have been arrested.

“My ideas are with the victims and their households right here and in addition in Israel.” The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, stated this at a press convention on Friday.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof returned early from the EU leaders’ summit in Budapest, the place he stated he had adopted the developments with horror.

“The culprits will likely be tracked down and prosecuted,” he promised.

Thursday evening’s violence was condemned by leaders throughout Europe, the United States and Israel. For many, it was significantly stunning to reach on the eve of commemorations of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogroms in opposition to German Jews.

Three-quarters of Dutch Jews have been murdered in the course of the Holocaust in World War II.

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The king referenced that historical past, saying: “Jews should really feel protected within the Netherlands, all over the place and always. We embrace them and won’t allow them to go.”

US President Joe Biden stated the assaults “echo darkish moments in historical past when Jews have been persecuted”.

There had already been riots and a few arrests the evening earlier than Thursday’s match, involving Maccabi followers and pro-Palestinian protesters.

Police Chief Peter Holla confirmed there had been incidents “on each side”. Israeli supporters eliminated a Palestinian flag from a wall, set it on hearth and attacked a taxi, though there have been no additional issues till the following evening, he stated.

There have been additionally reviews of supporters setting off fireworks. An unverified video confirmed followers descending an escalator chanting anti-Arab slogans.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “anti-Arab chants” and an “assault on the Palestinian flag”, calling on the Dutch authorities to “shield Palestinians and Arabs” dwelling within the Netherlands.

The nationwide coordinator for combating anti-Semitism within the Netherlands stated that the restrict had been crossed and that “the willingness to commit such violence is disgusting”.

Mayor Halsema stated Dutch counter-terrorism coordinator NCTV had not reported any concrete menace to the match itself as there was no animosity between followers of the 2 golf equipment. There have been no issues within the match during which Ajax inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat on the guests.

But quickly afterward the riots spiraled uncontrolled. Halsema spoke of followers being “attacked, abused and hit with fireworks” as they walked from the Johan Cruyff Arena to central Amsterdam.

The police initially stated it was not clear who had taken half within the clashes, though the mayor later spoke of younger individuals on scooters. He was cautious to not present particulars concerning the ethnic origin of these concerned within the assault, stressing that it was a police investigation.

Several movies circulated on social media, one displaying a person being kicked and crushed to the bottom and one other displaying somebody being run over. In some unverified movies, individuals may very well be heard shouting pro-Palestinian slogans.

Two British guests stated they have been attacked as they tried to assist an Israeli who was crushed by individuals on mopeds. Jacob, 33, advised the BBC he noticed “10 individuals stomping and kicking” the person, and that he noticed “plenty of small gangs chasing individuals”.

Asked whether or not locals had been provoked by the tearing down of a Palestinian flag within the metropolis, the mayor stated that what occurred within the middle of his metropolis had nothing to do with protests over the state of affairs within the Middle East.

“I’m deeply ashamed of the habits that occurred,” Halsema advised reporters. “On Telegram messaging teams individuals have been speaking about going out to hunt Jews. It’s so horrible I can not discover the phrases to explain it.”

The mayor confirmed reviews that taxi drivers have been concerned within the assaults, after the pinnacle of the Central Jewish Committee of the Netherlands (CJO) stated they’d “moved in teams and cornered their targets”.

Israeli airline El Al stated it was working two “rescue flights” to Amsterdam to deliver passengers again to Israel.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke of a “pogrom” in opposition to Maccabi followers and Israeli residents.

Herzog stated on X that he has confidence that Dutch authorities will act instantly to “shield, find and rescue all Israelis and Jews beneath assault.”

The violence in Amsterdam has raised questions concerning the security of Israeli followers elsewhere in Europe.

Israel’s National Security Council urged followers to keep away from a basketball recreation within the Italian metropolis of Bologna on Friday evening because of the danger of “copycat actions.”