W Asia politics hits football as riots break out in Amsterdam

Young people on scooters attacked Israeli fans in hit-and-run assaults overnight after a soccer game in Amsterdam apparently fueled by calls to target Jewish people spread on social media, Dutch authorities said on Friday.

Five people were treated in hospitals and dozens were arrested.

Tensions had been mounting in the Dutch capital over Israel's campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, even before the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night. Amsterdam authorities banned a planned pro-Palestinian demonstration near the stadium, and video showed a large crowd of Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans en route to the game.

Afterwards, youths on scooters crisscrossed the city in search of Israeli fans, punching and kicking them and then fleeing quickly to evade police, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said.

In Telegram groups, she added, "there is talk of people going on a Jew hunt. That is so shocking and so despicable that I still cannot fathom it." Police had to escort some fans back to hotels, according to authorities.