Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Friday said the violence was 'unacceptable'
- Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital)
- Published: 6:53, 8 Nov 2024
- Updated: 6:54, 8 Nov 2024
BENJAMIN Netanyahu is scrambling two rescue planes to Amsterdam after Israeli football fans were ambushed and attacked.
Maccabi supporters were chased through the streets of the Dutch city by a mob of rioters as they left the Johan Cruyff stadium.
Shocking footage shared on social media showed Israeli football fans being kicked and beaten on Thursday night.
Israel's national security ministry urged citizens to stay in their hotel rooms following the attacks.
Local police said 57 people had been held after the game as pro-Palestine demonstrators had tried to reach the stadium, even though the city had forbidden them to protest there.
The Israeli military said it is preparing to deploy a rescue mission with the coordination of the Dutch government after the football game, in which Ajax Amsterdam defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0.
"The mission will be deployed using cargo aircraft and include medical and rescue teams," the IDF said.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed that two rescue planes be sent immediately to Amsterdam, his office said on Friday.
Disturbing videos on social media showed crowds running through the streets and a man being beaten.
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: "Fans who went to see a football game, encountered anti-Semitism and were attacked with unimaginable cruelty just because of their Jewishness and Israeliness."
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Friday said the violence was "unacceptable" and insisted those responsible need to be prosecuted.
He said: "I followed the news from Amsterdam with horror.
"Just now in a call with Netanyahu emphasised that the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted. It is now quiet in the capital."