Summary

Media caption,

Amsterdam attacks were like Nazi pogroms - Mayor

  1. What we know so farpublished at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Men running on dark Amsterdam streetImage source, Social media

    As we've been reporting, there was violence in Amsterdam last night as Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv were in the city for a Europa League match.

    • Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned "antisemitic attacks" on Israelis, and said the city was now "calm"
    • Amsterdam's mayor said fans were injured in several parts of the capital despite a heavy police presence
    • Police said 62 people were arrested, and five taken to hospital with injuries
    • A video on social media showed a man being beaten on the ground, while another showed someone being run over
    • There were arrests in Dam Square before the match, with reports of clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and Maccabi fans. Videos seemingly showed visiting fans setting off fireworks, making racist chants about Arabs, and tearing down a Palestinian flag
    • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu initially said he was sending two "rescue planes" to Amsterdam - this plan was later cancelled and citizens will come home on civilian airlines instead

    The BBC has not yet verified social media footage from yesterday, but we are working on it.

  2. Five injured and 62 arrested, Dutch police saypublished at 09:17 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024
    Breaking

    Dutch police say five people have been taken to hospital with injuries after the attacks in Amsterdam overnight.

    The number confirmed arrested has risen by five, to 62 people.

  3. Israeli FM heads to Netherlands for 'urgent diplomatic visit' - reportpublished at 09:03 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, is heading to the Netherlands for an "urgent diplomatic visit", Israeli media reports.

    Earlier, Sa'ar called the attack "a blaring alarm call for Europe and the world".

    "Freedom loving countries, democracies, cannot allow unbridled hatred to roam the streets with impunity. As history has shown - what begins with persecution and violence against Jews never ends with the Jews."

  4. Military rescue cancelled, Israeli PM sayspublished at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Plans to send military planes to the Netherlands to rescue Maccabi fans have been cancelled, Israel's prime minister's office has announced.

    In a new statement, Benjamin Netanyahu's office says, after consulting with Israel's military, it was decided sending a "professional rescue mission to the Netherlands was not necessary".

    He initially said two planes would be sent to the Dutch capital. Israeli citizens will instead return home via civilian airlines.

    "The State of Israel is doing everything to ensure the safety and security of our citizens who were brutally attacked in the horrific antisemitic incident in Amsterdam," the statement adds.

  5. Israeli president refers to 7 October attacks in condemning 'pogrom'published at 09:00 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, has referenced last year's 7 October attacks while condemning last night's violence in Amsterdam.

    "We see with horror this morning, the shocking images and videos that since October 7th, we had hoped never to see again: an antisemitic pogrom currently taking place against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam."

    Herzog urges the Netherlands to take all necessary measures to protect and rescue all Israelis and Jews under attack, and to "eradicate the violence against Jewish and Israeli citizens by all required means".

  6. I followed the news with horror, says Dutch PMpublished at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Dutch PM Dick Schoof stands before a yellow backdropImage source, Reuters

    Dutch PM Dick Schoof describes the "antisemitic attacks" on Israelis as "completely unacceptable" in a post on X.

    Although "it is now quiet in the capital," Schoof says he followed the news "with horror."

    He has been in contact with all those involved, he says, including a call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, stressing that the "perpetrators" will be tracked down and prosecuted.

  7. In pictures: A night of violence in Amsterdampublished at 08:48 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Screengrab of a social media video which reportedly shows clashes between the Israeli football supporters and Dutch youth, with a group of people standing in the middle of a busy roadImage source, iAnnet/Reuters
    Image caption,

    A screengrab of a social media video which reportedly shows clashes between Israeli football supporters and locals

    A protester wraps a Palestinian flag around a statue at Amsterdam's Anton de Komplein squareImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    A protester wraps a Palestinian flag around a statue at Amsterdam's Anton de Komplein square

    Line of police officers standing in front of a bus with football fans insideImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Officers form a security cordon around a bus following the match

    Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters gather at the Dam square, with one holding a "Kidnapped" sign and several flares litImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters gather at Dam Square, with one holding a "Kidnapped" sign

    Two police officers carrying a man in a squareImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Dutch police detaining a man in Dam Square

  8. Netanyahu sends planes to bring Israelis home after 'planned antisemitic attack'published at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses an audience from a lecternImage source, Reuters

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken to Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof about the "planned anti-Semitic attack against Israeli citizens", according to a statement from the Israeli government.

    Netanyahu has also called for increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands.

    He stressed the importance of the Dutch government ensuring the safety of all Israelis there, including those injured and affected by last night's violence.

    The statement also says the Israeli government has arranged for planes to bring citizens home, including those who are wounded.

  9. Israeli and Dutch leaders condemn antisemitic attacks on Israelis in Amsterdampublished at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2024

    Dutch and Israeli officials have condemned a series of attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam overnight.

    Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv were attacked in the capital as their team were in the city for Europa League match against Ajax.

    Police in Amsterdam have arrested at least 57 people.

    Footage circulating on social media shows a series of violent assaults on Israelis in the street, as well as people breaking into hotels apparently searching for Maccabi fans.

    There had already been trouble before the match involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters, with reports of supporters setting off fireworks and tearing down a Palestinian flag on a nearby street.

    Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the "antisemitic attacks", while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said two "rescue planes" were being sent to Amsterdam to collect affected fans.

    We’ll bring you more on the fallout from the attacks here, so stick with us.