Dutch Capital Erupts in Violence After Israeli Fans Tear Palestinian Flag (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam turned violent Thursday night when a group of Israeli fans tore down a Palestinian flag, inciting a clash with local Muslim youths.
The altercation left several injured and led Israel to dispatch evacuation flights for its citizens. According to reports, scuffles began when a group of Israeli supporters defaced the flag, provoking a response from pro-Palestinian youths. The two groups engaged in a violent confrontation, which reportedly left five Israeli fans injured.
Tensions escalated further as pro-Palestinian supporters pursued the Israeli fans back to their hotels. Eyewitnesses reported that some individuals attempting to flee were struck by vehicles during the pursuit.
Pro-Zionist Western media outlets attributed the violence to Muslim youth, alleging that Israeli fans were ambushed by a crowd chanting “Free Palestine” in central Amsterdam. However, videos circulating on social media showed Israeli fans removing Palestinian flags from buildings, with some footage depicting instances of flag-burning in the streets.
This provocative act reportedly led to confrontations with pro-Palestinian activists, sparking further clashes.
Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that two planes were dispatched to the Netherlands to facilitate the evacuation of Israeli citizens.
Local police stated that 57 suspects were detained following the game, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempted to reach the Johan Cruyff stadium despite a citywide protest ban. While fans initially exited the stadium without incident, clashes erupted overnight in Amsterdam's city center.
Dutch politician Geert Wilders, known for his anti-Muslim stance, condemned the reported attacks in Amsterdam, posting on social media: “Ashamed that this can happen in The Netherlands. Totally unacceptable.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar requested Dutch government assistance to ensure safe passage for Israeli citizens to the airport, coordinating efforts with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on Friday.
Meanwhile, international tensions remain high following Israel’s ongoing genocidal war in Gaza, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, killing at least 43,469 Palestinians and injuring 102,561 others in Gaza.
The conflict has sparked widespread protests across Europe and the United States, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with Gaza’s innocent civilian population murdered in ethnic cleansing of Gaza by Israel.