Netanyahu sends planes to Amsterdam to rescue Jews from ‘pogrom’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at about 4:30 a.m. local time that he was dispatching two rescue planes to Amsterdam following a “serious incident of violence against Israeli citizens.”
“The prime minister takes the horrific event very seriously and demands that the Dutch government and the Dutch security forces act firmly and quickly against the rioters and ensure the peace of our citizens,” Netanyahu’s office stated, in Hebrew.
Earlier in the day, Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 5-0 to Ajax Amsterdam in a Europa League soccer game. Various reports indicate that Israeli fans were attacked—with some reports of injuries—after leaving the game.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog denounced the attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam, calling it an “antisemitic pogrom.”
“We see with horror this morning, the shocking images and videos that since October 7th, we had hoped never to see again: an antisemitic pogrom currently taking place against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands,” Herzog tweeted.
“This is a serious incident, a warning sign for any country that wishes to uphold the values of freedom. I give my full support to the cooperation now taking place between the governments, and trust that the authorities in the Netherlands will act immediately and take all necessary measures to protect, locate, and rescue all Israelis and Jews under attack, and to eradicate the violence against Jewish and Israeli citizens by all required means.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, emphasising the great importance of the Dutch government ensuring the well-being of all Israelis in the Netherlands, including those who were wounded and injured in the disturbances.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he views with utmost gravity the planned antisemitic attack against Israeli citizens and requested that security be increased for the Dutch Jewish community.
Danny Dayon the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, wrote that “we are receiving very disturbing reports of extreme violence against Israelis and Jews on the streets of Holland. There is a pogrom currently taking place in Europe in 2024.”
“These are the true faces of the supporters of the radical terrorism we are fighting. The western world needs to wake up now,” he wrote. “This is the time when the United Nations should immediately and clearly condemn the violence of the Palestinians and their supporters. The Dutch authorities must take decisive action against terrorism now.”
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has, tweeted: “The banner of Free Palestine represents the worst in western societies. Warmongering posing as pacifism. Burning a state and its people passed off as national liberation. Love of terror laundered into pursuit of justice. It has made our societies less tolerant, more racist and more violent. It has to be stopped through strong policing, strong leadership and severe consequences for supporters of terrorism and lowlife criminals.”
A spokesman for The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies said: “We are closely monitoring reports out of Amsterdam that Jewish football fans have been pursued and brutally assaulted following a match involving an Israeli team.
The videos and images online are gruesome and deeply disturbing.
This is a modern day pogrom in the heart of Europe. This is what “globalising the intifada” looks like.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and all those who are still in danger.
Almost to the day 86 years ago, a pogrom was unleashed on German Jews in what became known as Kristallnacht. Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues were torched and vandalised on that dark night of broken glass and Jews were beaten in the streets.
In the face of a pogrom in modern day Europe, we cannot remain silent and accept that such a situation is in any way tolerable.”
Pesach Benson reports: “At least ten Israeli soccer fans were injured when a mob of rioters shouting “Free Palestine” attacked them in Amsterdam on Wednesday night, prompting authorities to advise Israelis in the Dutch capital not to leave their hotels.
Videos circulating on social media showed masked rioters, several of whom carried Palestinian flags, kicking and punching Israelis.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they were notified by Dutch authorities that 10 Israelis were injured and that their status is not yet clear. The ministry added that it has been unable to contact two other nationals.
Dutch media reported police made 57 arrests.
“The harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. “Prime Minister Netanyahu views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity and demands that the Dutch government and security forces take vigorous and swift action against the rioters and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Israel dispatched two planes to the Netherlands to evacuate its citizens. Around 3,000 Israelis traveled to Amsterdam to attend a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, which Ajax won 5-0.
The Israeli army said on Friday morning it would deploy a rescue mission including rescue and medical teams to Amsterdam in coordination with the Dutch government.”
Geert Wilders: A pogrom in the streets of #Amsterdam. We have become the Gaza of Europe. Muslims with Palestinian flags hunting down Jews. I will NOT accept that. NEVER. The authorities will be held accountable for their failure to protect the Israeli citizens. Never again.
#BREAKING: We are receiving extremely disturbing footage coming out of Amsterdam where Israel’s soccer team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, was playing in a soccer match. Pro-Hamas hate mobs are attacking Jewish fans in the streets of Amsterdam. They’re beaten, kicked, run over, thrown in the… pic.twitter.com/R5xzCGzugz
— Noa Tishby (@noatishby) November 8, 2024
Noa Tishby has tweeted: “We are receiving extremely disturbing footage coming out of Amsterdam where Israel’s soccer team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, was playing in a soccer match. Pro-Hamas hate mobs are attacking Jewish fans in the streets of Amsterdam. They’re beaten, kicked, run over, thrown in the river. In one instance, a fan was reportedly held against his will until he said “Free Palestine”. When terrorist sympathizers chant globalize the intifada, this is what it looks like. Every one of these are anti-Jewish hate crimes, plain and simple.
This is a developing story.:.
