Tensions Soar as Israeli Fans Attacked in Amsterdam — Israel Responds with Emergency Rescue Planes

In an unexpected move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched two rescue planes to the Netherlands on Friday after reports emerged of Israeli football fans being injured in violent clashes in Amsterdam.

“The Prime Minister views this shocking incident with the utmost seriousness and is demanding immediate, decisive action from the Dutch government and security forces to crack down on the attackers and safeguard our citizens,” his office declared in a forceful statement.

While Netanyahu’s office did not specify the cause of the “brutal attack on Israeli citizens,” Dutch media outlet AT5 reported that clashes erupted on Thursday night between fans attending a Europa League match featuring Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Ajax. The chaos reportedly involved numerous brawls and acts of vandalism in Amsterdam’s city center.

“A heavy police presence, including numerous mobile unit vehicles and reinforcements, was dispatched to the scene,” the report added.

The Israeli embassy in the United States described the incident as an “ambush” in a post on social media platform X, claiming that “hundreds” of Maccabi supporters were targeted as they left the stadium.

Dutch authorities arrested 57 people, according to a police spokesperson speaking to the ANP news agency.

Meanwhile, Israel’s new Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revealed he had called on the Dutch government to guarantee the safe passage of Israeli citizens from their hotels to the airport.

Footage from AT5 depicted Dutch police escorting fans back to their hotels amid heightened security measures.

Earlier that day, Amsterdam police announced heightened vigilance due to a series of incidents, including the removal of a Palestinian flag from a building. A planned pro-Palestinian demonstration against Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s visit was relocated by the Amsterdam city council for safety reasons.