IDF backtracks on Amsterdam rescue mission

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has backtracked on sending a rescue mission to Amsterdam to help football fans attacked during riots following a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Netherlands’ Ajax.

Supporters of the Israeli team were attacked in the Dutch capital on Thursday night as they left the Johan Cruyff Arena. At least ten people were reportedly injured in the scuffle, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. 

Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered two planes to be dispatched to the Dutch capital to bring back the Israeli fans that had been assaulted in what has been described as “anti-Semitic” attacks. 

The IDF also announced on its official Telegram channel that it was preparing to “immediately deploy a rescue team with the coordination of the Dutch government” adding that this mission would be deployed “using cargo aircraft and include medical and rescue teams.”

Several hours later, however, the Israeli military issued an update, stating that “following the directive of the political echelon, the IDF mission will not be departing to Amsterdam.” The IDF did not provide an explanation for the sudden U-turn.

Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon has condemned Thursday’s violence as a “pogrom” and accused those who attacked the fans of representing the “true faces of the supporters of the radical terrorism” that Israel is fighting.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof has also called the attacks “completely unacceptable” and “anti-Semitic.” He also stated that he had been in contact with Netanyahu and had promised him that the perpetrators would be found and prosecuted.

Local police reported that five people were hospitalized and some 62 arrested in connection with the assaults, with at least ten people being detained before the match even began.

Prior to Thursday’s violence, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema had also banned any pro-Palestinian protests from taking place near the stadium, fearing that clashes would break out between demonstrators and supporters of Tel Aviv.

City authorities also reported an incident in which a Palestinian flag was torn down in the city center. Additionally, some media outlets, including Iranian state media, have claimed that Israeli football hooligans may have provoked some of the violence by chanting anti-Arab slurs and defacing Palestinian flags while marching through the city on Wednesday night.