Amsterdam attack: Israel sends rescue planes after 'very violent incident' with 'three people missing'

Israel has sent rescue planes to Amsterdam after a "very violent incident" with "three people missing" following a football match on Thursday evening.

Leaders of and the Netherlands on Friday condemned what they called antisemitic attacks on fans of football club Maccabi Tel Aviv before and after a soccer match between their team and Ajax.

The violence erupted Thursday despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the football stadium imposed by Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, who had feared that clashes would break out between protesters and supporters of the club. Israel's Foreign Ministry have reported that ten Israelis have been injured so far, with three people missing.

Horrific footage shared on social media appears to show fans being beaten and being chased with knives.

Israel ordered that two planes be sent to the Dutch capital to bring the Israelis home. "The Prime Minister has directed that two rescue planes be sent immediately to assist our citizens," said a statement from Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

It added that "the harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked," and that Netanyahu "views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity." He demanded that the Dutch government take "vigorous and swift action" against those involved.

Netanyahu's office added that he had called for increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X that he followed reports of the violence "with horror."

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