Multiple attacks targeting Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters occurred in Amsterdam on Thursday evening, orchestrated by groups described as “boys on scooters,” according to Amsterdam Mayor
Femke Halsema. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Halsema characterized the evening as a “pitch-black” event that has inflicted serious damage on the city’s Jewish community and culture. Although there were reports suggesting that Israelis had been abducted, police confirmed that they had found no concrete evidence to support these claims.
The assaults took place after Maccabi Tel Aviv’s football match against Ajax, with fans being targeted at various locations across Amsterdam. Five individuals required hospital treatment for injuries, though all were released by Friday morning. Authorities noted that an additional 20 to 30 Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters reported minor injuries.
Despite persistent rumors, Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla stated that there was no verified information indicating any kidnappings. He urged any concerned family members to report missing persons promptly. Holla, who recently assumed his position as police chief, emphasized that there were no available figures on potential missing individuals.
“Amsterdam is facing a ‘pitch-black’ night, and it remains dark today,” Halsema said, addressing a gathering of journalists at City Hall. She described the attackers as engaging in hit-and-run tactics, using scooters to evade police. “That this could happen in Amsterdam is intolerable,” she added. “Our city has suffered greatly, and our Jewish community and culture are under attack.”
In preparation for the Ajax vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv match and a Kristallnacht commemoration occurring the same evening, the Amsterdam authorities had requested a security risk assessment from the National Coordinator for Counter-terrorism and Security (NCTV). Halsema noted that the NCTV did not foresee a concrete threat. Preliminary police investigations suggest the violence was swiftly coordinated via Telegram.
Public prosecutor René de Beukelaer announced that images of the attackers would be released to expedite their identification and arrest. Police detained 62 individuals during the riots, of whom ten—eight adults and two minors—remained in custody as of Friday on charges of public violence. Those released are suspected of lesser offenses, including insults and the use of fireworks.
Authorities have implemented additional safety measures. Both Amsterdam and Amstelveen have been designated security risk areas, granting police broader authority for preemptive actions such as stop-and-search procedures, due to the possible continued presence of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
“What happened is a disgrace for Amsterdam,” Halsema stated. “While our city is accustomed to managing tensions through demonstrations and protests, last night’s events were not a protest. They were a crime, pure and simple, and there is no justification.”
Halsema refrained from addressing Israel’s reaction to the attacks, instead focusing on responses from the Dutch government. Prime Minister Dick Schoof denounced the “anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens,” while Justice Minister David van Weel vowed that the perpetrators would be identified and brought to justice. “We should be ashamed of ourselves,” van Weel said on Friday. Photo by FaceMePLS from The Hague, The Netherlands, Wikimedia commons.