Amsterdam bans demonstrations after attacks on Israeli soccer fans

Attackers called 'anti-Semitic hit-and-run squads'; Israel says it will fly fans home

AMSTERDAM - Netherlands' capital, Amsterdam, banned demonstrations for three days from Nov 8 after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the Mayor called "anti-Semitic hit-and-run squads" and Israel said it would fly many fans home.

The city's Mayor Femke Halsema said Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been "attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks," and riot police intervened to protect them and escort them to hotels.

At least five people were treated in hospital, she added.

Videos on social media show riot police intervening in street clashes, with some attackers shouting anti-Israeli slurs.

Some footage shows Israeli supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans before the match on Nov 7.

"We saw a lot of demonstrations, a lot of people running. It was really, really terrifying," said Israeli soccer fan Joni Pogrebetsy, who had travelled to Amsterdam for the match.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel was sending planes to the Netherlands to bring fans home.

Anti-Semitic incidents in the Netherlands have surged since Israel launched its assault on Gaza following the Oct 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by the Palestinian Hamas group, with many Jewish organizations and schools reporting threats and hate mail.

Amsterdam banned demonstrations through the weekend and gave police emergency stop-and-search powers in response to unrest that exposed deep anger over the Israel-Hamas conflict.