Israeli football fans attacked in Amsterdam

Israeli football fans have been under a wave of attacks in the heart of Amsterdam, authorities reported, and riot police had to intervene several times to protect them.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned "antisemitic attacks", while Israel's military spokesperson said there were "severe and violent incidents against Israelis".

Amsterdam's mayor and city authorities said that despite a massive police presence, Israeli fans had been injured in several parts of the Dutch capital.

Fans of the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv had come from around the world to Amsterdam for a Europa League match against Ajax.
Amsterdam police said they were investigating a number of violent incidents and that 62 people had been arrested.

Five people were taken to hospital for treatment, police said, and they were aware of reports of a "possible hostage situation" as well as people unaccounted for, but there had been no confirmation of that.
Dick Schoof said he had followed developments with horror, adding that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasized that the "perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted".

The national co-ordinator for combating antisemitism in the Netherlands meanwhile said a line had been crossed and the "readiness to commit such violence was disgusting".

The head of the Netherlands' Central Jewish Committee (CJO) accused taxi drivers of helping whip up the violence. "They moved in groups and cornered their targets. Videos are circulating of assaults and attempts to run over Israelis," Chanan Hertzberger said.

Israeli airline El Al said it was operating two "rescue flights" to Amsterdam to bring passengers back to Israel. This is after Netanyahu canceled plans to send two military planes.

Arrests and trouble had been reported in Dam Square even before the match between Maccabi and pro-Palestinian protesters: supporters set off fireworks on a nearby street and went on to take down a Palestinian flag. An unverified video showed fans walking down on an escalator, chanting anti-Arab slogans.

However, the situation took a worse turn after the game. Police claim to know nothing about who was involved in riots. Local media reports that rioters wore dark clothes.

Several clips appeared on social networking sites; one of them shows a man being kicked and beaten on the ground and another features a person being run over. On several clips, people are heard yelling Palestinian slogans, though that has not been confirmed by the BBC.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the event as a "pogrom" against Maccabi fans and Israeli citizens. Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders who leads the biggest party in parliament also spoke of a pogrom, saying "the authorities will be held accountable for their failure to protect the Israeli citizens".

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema had attempted to avoid trouble by moving pro-Palestinian protesters away from the Johan Cruyff Arena. But reports said a large group tried to head towards the stadium when riot police stepped in and stopped them.