IDF Retracts Amsterdam Rescue Operation
The Israeli military had earlier announced plans to deploy medical and rescue teams to assist football fans who were attacked. Read Full Article at RT.com
Israeli supporters were assaulted in Amsterdam on Thursday night as they left the Johan Cruyff Arena, with reports from the Israeli Foreign Ministry indicating that at least ten individuals sustained injuries during the conflict.
In response to the violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had ordered two planes to fly to Amsterdam to assist the fans who had been attacked, which he described as “anti-Semitic” incidents.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially communicated via their official Telegram channel that they were preparing for an "immediate deployment" of a rescue team in coordination with the Dutch government, and specified that the mission would involve “using cargo aircraft and include medical and rescue teams.”
However, just hours later, the military updated its statement, declaring that “following the directive of the political echelon, the IDF mission will not be departing to Amsterdam.” No rationale was provided for this abrupt change in plans.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon denounced the Thursday violence as a “pogrom,” asserting that the assailants exemplified the “true faces of the supporters of the radical terrorism” that Israel combats.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also condemned the attacks, labeling them as “completely unacceptable” and “anti-Semitic.” He communicated with Netanyahu, assuring him that the authorities would seek to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Local law enforcement reported that five individuals were hospitalized with around 62 arrests made in connection to the assaults, including at least ten people detained before the match commenced.
Before the outbreak of violence, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema imposed a ban on pro-Palestinian protests in the vicinity of the stadium to prevent potential confrontations between demonstrators and Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
Additionally, there were reports of a Palestinian flag being torn down in the city center. Some media, including Iranian state outlets, have suggested that Israeli fans may have incited part of the violence by shouting anti-Arab slurs and damaging Palestinian flags while parading through Amsterdam on Wednesday night.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News