Israel sends flights to rescue football fans as pro-Palestine mob rampages

Thugs on motorbikes hunt their victims in coordinated ambushes

- Mark Reynolds

ISRAELI football fans were being rescued by special flights from Amsterdam last night after they were viciously beaten in coordinated antisemitic attacks.

In scenes described by the Dutch Prime Minister as "horrifying", fans were assaulted by mobs screaming pro-Palestinian slogans around the city, leading to the arrest of at least 62 people.

Some Israeli supporters were forced to jump into Amsterdam's canals to escape the violence.

Thugs on motorbikes sought out Jewish fans before launching prolonged attacks.

Supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv had travelled to Amsterdam for a Europa League match against Ajax on Thursday night when violence flared.

After the home side won 5-0, footage showed Israeli fans being assaulted by men dressed in black and shouting pro-Palestinian slogans. Adi Reuben, a 24-year-old Maccabi fan, said he was kicked on the ground.

He said: "Last night we got off the metro station and started walking towards the Mozart hotel where we were staying.

"More than 10 men who looked Arab or Turkish just came up to me and my friends and asked us 'where are you from'. They shouted 'Jewish, Jewish, IDF, IDF'." He added: "I fell to the floor and 10 people were kicking me. They Reuben, a 24-year-old Maccabi fan, said he was kicked on the ground.

He said: "Last night we got off the metro station and started walking towards the Mozart hotel where we were staying.

"More than 10 men who looked Arab or Turkish just came up to me and my friends and asked us 'where are you from'. They shouted 'Jewish, Jewish, IDF, IDF'." He added: "I fell to the floor and 10 people were kicking me. They were shouting 'Falestin' [Palestine].