Amsterdam bans protests after 'antisemitic squads' attack Israeli soccer fans

We saw a lot of demonstrations, a lot of people running. It was really, really terrifying,

said Joni Pogrebetsy, an Israeli soccer fan in Amsterdam for the match

This emphasizes that stopping the genocide in Gaza is an essential part of respecting and protecting human rights, as well as ensuring regional and global security and peace,

he told Reuters

On the eve of Kristallnacht - when Jews in Nazi Germany faced brutal attacks - it is horrifying to witness antisemitic violence on the streets of Europe once again,

it said

We are absolutely horrified at the shocking scenes from Amsterdam where Israeli and Jewish football fans have been hunted down, threatened and beaten up

The head of the Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock CBE, said of the events

Isaac Herzogpresident

We failed the Jewish community of the Netherlands during World War Two, and last night we failed again.

As the situation calmed into Friday morning, Dutch King Willem-Alexander shared his 'deep horror and shock' over the events in a call with Isaac Herzog, telling the Israeli president

We left the game early to meet a friend

Recounting the horror of his ordeal, Aaron told Jewish News

He's British, leave him alone' ... Yes, but he helped a Jew.

When the leader of the gang said

Sorry we thought you were Zionist.

In the moments following his attack, one of the gang came over to apologise to him, saying

Watch and enjoy 6 Zionists chased away. Free Palestine."

The footage was uploaded with a caption in Hebrew that read

Finish the Arabs! We’re going to win!”

An unverified video circulating on social media, allegedly filmed on Thursday, appeared to show some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans chanting in Hebrew

I followed with horror the coverage from Amsterdam,

Schoof wrote on X,

We have seen these very troubling reports,

UN human rights office spokesman Jeremy Laurence told a media briefing in Geneva

It’s against everything we’re proud of in Amsterdam. I’m very ashamed of the behaviour that was shown last night. This is nothing like Amsterdam,

she said

Let the IDF win, and (expletive) the Arabs,

the fans chanted, using the acronym of the Israeli military, as they shook their fists

I think that for a symbolic reason we must not yield, we must not give up,

he said, noting

This is simply antisemitic violence against Israelis,

The Dutch prime minister, Dick Schoof, said

I'm very scared, it's very striking. This shouldn't happen to anyone, specifically in Amsterdam. Lots of friends were hurt, injured, kidnapped, robbed, and the police didn't come to help us,

he said

Lots of people went to watch a football game ... to support Israel, to support the star of David,

he said

This is a serious incident, a warning sign for any country that wishes to uphold the values of freedom,

it said

I followed the news from Amsterdam with horror. Completely unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with all those involved. Just now in a call with @IsraeliPM Netanyahu emphasized that the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted. It is now quiet in the capital."

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the attacks, writing on X