Dutch King reacts to post-match riots in Amsterdam
The King of the Netherlands has reacted to the events that occurred after the Europa League soccer match in Amsterdam. – We can't turn a blind eye. History has taught us how threats can develop into something worse, the monarch said. On Thursday night, there was a spate of attacks on Israeli fans in the capital, followed by an earlier incident involving an Israeli supporter. Riots broke out in the city.
King William Alexander of the Netherlands said Israelis should feel safe in the Netherlands, adding that his country could not ignore these acts. The attack on the Israeli team's fans had previously been condemned by Dutch authorities, including Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema and the country's Prime Minister Dick Schuch. Leaders from Europe, the United States and Israel also spoke.
“Our history teaches us how intimidation can turn into something much worse,” the monarch said.
Netherlands: Post-match riot in Amsterdam
Israeli fans chanting “Liberate Palestine” were attacked by assailants after a Europa League soccer match in Amsterdam between Maccabi Tel Aviv and local team Ajax on Thursday night. Dutch police said five people were taken to hospital and others suffered minor injuries. At least 62 people were arrested.
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As reported by BBC News, riots and arrests broke out on the eve of Thursday's match. The rally was attended by both Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters. Police said the incident occurred on “both sides.”
Fan attack in Amsterdam
According to the findings, Israeli supporters tore a Palestinian flag from the wall of a building in the capital, set it on fire, and then attacked a taxi. Afterwards, there were reports that fans set off fireworks. One of the recordings shows a group of people on an escalator shouting anti-Arab slogans. These events were condemned by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, which called on the Dutch government to protect its citizens.
Thursday's match went smoothly, but the riots quickly got out of control, BBC News reported. Fans of the Israeli team were attacked, insulted, even had fireworks thrown at them and some were severely assaulted.
Asked whether the attackers had been provoked by tearing down the Palestinian flag, the mayor of Amsterdam said what happened in the city had nothing to do with protests over the situation in the Middle East.
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