DISTURBING footage shows Israeli football fans being chased through the streets of Amsterdam by an anti-Semitic mob.
Maccabi supporters were ambushed by masked rioters in the Dutch city by a mob of rioters as they left the Johan Cruyff stadium.
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Shocking footage shared on social media showed Israeli football fans being harassed, kicked and beaten on Thursday night.
Disturbing videos on social media showed Israelis desperately fleeing crowds after Ajax beat Maccabi 5-0 in the Europa League match.
Another distressing clip showed a man motionless on the ground as people repeatedly kicked him.
Victims have described the shameful scenes as “a pogrom”, while Israeli leaders slammed the violence and initiated a rescue mission.
One Israeli told Kan News: “They were waiting in groups at every corner and the moment they identified Jews they chased them.
“It was Kristallnact 2. We’re not safe here, we’re shut inside our hotel.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof branded the violence “unacceptable” and insisted those responsible would be prosecuted.
He said: “I followed the news from Amsterdam with horror.
“Completely unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with all those involved.
“Just now in a call with Netanyahu emphasised that the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted. It is now quiet in the capital.”
Israel’s national security ministry urged citizens to stay in their hotel rooms following the attacks.
At least seven Israelis are still missing in the city and around 20 have been injured, according to reports.
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The Israeli military said it is preparing to deploy a rescue mission with the coordination of the Dutch government after the football game.
“The mission will be deployed using cargo aircraft and include medical and rescue teams,” the IDF said.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed that two rescue planes be sent immediately to Amsterdam, his office said on Friday.
And Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar is getting to the Netherlands to meet with senior officials.
Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: “Fans who went to see a football game, encountered anti-Semitism and were attacked with unimaginable cruelty just because of their Jewishness and Israeliness.”
Local police said 62 people had been arrested after the game as pro-Palestine rioters had tried to reach the stadium, even though the city had forbidden them to protest there.
Amsterdam’s mayor said: “This outburst of violence against Israeli supporters is beyond all bounds and cannot be justified in any way.
“There is no excuse for the anti-Semitic behavior displayed last night by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and abuse them.”
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, told The Sun the incident is “very shocking, but unfortunately not surprising”.
He added: “It has already been month after month that we are calling European authorities to understand that the level of anti-semitism in Europe breaks its record every single day.
“Jews are in danger in Europe, and unfortunately still, authorities in Europe do not react. It does not act the way it should.
“Tomorrow we’ll be marking the Kristallnacht, which is the exact same things that happened here on the European land, and to see again Jews who have to run away.
“Innocent people who did nothing bad to those who hunt them, and to run away from people who hate Jews who are ready to kill Jews and do whatever they could to Jews without getting support from local authorities. That reminds very dark times.”
Police presence in Amsterdam had been ramped up this week ahead of two major football matches coinciding with Free Palestine demonstrations.
Tensions have been running high in the Middle East and abroad since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 – killing 1,200, taking more than 250 hostages and sparking a war in Gaza.
