Israel to send rescue planes to Amsterdam after fan violence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two rescue planes to be sent to the Netherlands on Friday after violence targeting Israeli soccer fans broke out in Amsterdam overnight.

Videos circulating on social media showed street clashes and riot police intervening.

The order to send planes was taken after “a very violent incident” targeting Israeli citizens after the match between Ajax, traditionally identified as a Jewish club, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, his office said.

An eyewitness captured a video verified by Reuters that shows a group of men running near Amsterdam Central Station, chasing and assaulting other men as police sirens sounded.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was “appalled by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens. This is completely unacceptable.”

In a statement on X, he said he had spoken to Netanyahu on the phone and assured him “that the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted.”

Local police said 57 suspects had been detained after the match as pro-Palestinian protesters tried to reach the Johan Cruyff stadium, even though the city had banned a protest there.

Police said fans had left the stadium without incident, but clashes broke out overnight in the city centre.

The Israeli military said it is preparing to immediately deploy a rescue mission with the coordination of the Dutch government after the soccer match in which Ajax defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0.

“The mission will be deployed using cargo planes and include medical and rescue teams,” the IDF said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has asked the Dutch government to help Israeli citizens get to the airport safely, Saar told his Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp in a phone call on Friday.