After the attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam, politicians want to investigate the anti-Semitic incidents. Were warnings not taken seriously? Fans were brought to Israel on special flights.
The attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam have sparked international outrage and outrage. Now some supporters have returned home on special flights. Around 3,000 supporters of the Maccabi Tel Aviv club are being flown out.
Israeli companies initially made four flights possible today, although they normally observe the traditional Jewish Sabbath rest from Friday to Saturday evening, the Dutch news agency ANP reported, citing the Israeli embassy in The Hague. Flights are also planned for Sunday.
Up to 30 people injured
Predominantly young perpetrators actively and specifically hunted Israelis on the sidelines of the Europa League game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam. According to authorities, 20 to 30 people were injured in the attacks, most of them lightly. Five of them were treated in hospitals but were released on Friday.
The public prosecutor's office said suspected perpetrators would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. A total of 63 people were initially arrested. Most have now been released, only four suspects are still in police custody.
Incidents should be investigated
“An investigation into possible warning signs from Israel is still ongoing,” Justice Minister David van Weel wrote in a letter to parliament. It is also being investigated whether these were targeted, organized attacks. As a result of the riots, demonstrations were banned in Amsterdam this weekend. The police are also authorized to stop and search suspects. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema announced strict security measures to protect Jews in Amsterdam.
The football match in Amsterdam was classified as a risky game given the political tensions in the Middle East. Around 800 officers were on duty. The police pointed out that fans of the Israeli club also rioted and provoked. They burned Palestinian flags and shouted offensive slogans. However, this is in no way an excuse for the anti-Semitic attacks, emphasized Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema.
The Catholic Church in the Netherlands condemned the riots: “We are shocked by this. Any form of anti-Semitism and hatred of 'the other' is a grave sin against our Creator and does great injustice to our neighbors,” said a statement from the Dutch church Bishops' Conference.
Apologies to Israel's President
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also condemned the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens. King Willem-Alexander apologized for the actions in a telephone conversation with Israel's President Izchak Herzog: “We let the Jewish community down in the Second World War. And last night we let them down again,” he said, according to a statement from the royal family .
Since 1933, many European Jews fled to Amsterdam. According to Jewish organizations in the Netherlands, of the approximately 80,000 Jews, only 10,000 survived Nazi rule.
