Israel evacuating citizens from Netherlands after soccer fans attacked in Amsterdam
SUMMARY
Following violence targeting Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam after Maccabi Tel Aviv’s game against AFC Ajax, Israel sent El Al planes to evacuate its citizens from the Netherlands. Tensions arose before the match, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashing with fans and chanting anti-Israeli slogans. Five people were hospitalized, and Amsterdam police detained 62 individuals in connection with the incidents. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands expressed shock at the violence in a statement to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, condemning antisemitism and affirming that Jewish citizens must always feel secure in the Netherlands. Originally, Israel's military considered involvement in the evacuation, but this was ultimately handled through civilian flights. The situation underscores the heightened sensitivities due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and has led Dutch authorities to launch a large-scale investigation into the assaults.
