Amsterdam violence: what we know

Amsterdam police made dozens of arrests during what the city's mayor called an "unbearable" night of violence as fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered "hit-and-run" attacks that left five people in hospital.

Here's what we know about the attacks that sparked outrage around the world and left the city "deeply damaged", according to its mayor.

- Early trouble -

Police chief Peter Holla said fans had already had minor scuffles on Wednesday night, 24 hours before the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Supporters of the Israeli club had torn down a flag, destroyed a taxi and burned a Palestinian flag on the city's main square on Wednesday night.

Police had to intervene to prevent clashes between Israeli fans and taxi drivers at a casino, but officers escorted the Israelis away and "major confrontation was avoided," said Holla.

The atmosphere at the match itself was described as "sporting" and Ajax praised both sets of fans for their behaviour during the match, which the hosts won 5-0.

- Hit-and-run -

The violence started after fans had left the stadium, with what mayor Halsema described as "gangs of guys on scooters" carrying out "hit-and-run" attacks on fans of the Israeli club.

Fans were beaten and kicked, before the attackers ran off again, making it difficult for police to prevent, said Holla.

Five fans were taken to hospital with injuries but were discharged later on Friday. Between 20 to 30 fans suffered light injuries.

"In several places in the city, supporters were attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks," said city officials.

Sixty-two people were arrested over the violence, said officials. Most were fined and released. Holla could not say how many assaults took place in total.

- Massive police presence -

Police strenuously denied they were unprepared for the violence, saying they had been making preparations for several weeks.

Holla said that around 800 officers were deployed, including a mobile unit, mounted police, dog handlers, scouts, an arrest unit, and a water cannon.

"The scale of this deployment is exceptionally large by Amsterdam standards," he said.

In a bid to further dial down tensions, a pro-Palestinian demonstration to protest against the presence of Maccabi in Amsterdam was moved to prevent clashes.

- Social media images -

Unverified video on social media purportedly filmed on Thursday appeared to show some Maccabi fans chanting in Hebrew: "Finish the Arabs! We're going to win!"

Others showed running pitch battles with people being ambushed in the streets by groups of men.

Rumours initially spread that some hostages had been taken during the violence, but police said there was "no indication" of this and Israeli authorities later said everyone had been accounted for.

"We have also seen these images and we are in the process of examining them. They are part of the enquiry," a police spokesperson told AFP.

"We are trying to get an overall image" of what happened, said this spokesperson.

- Widespread outrage -

There was global condemnation of the violence in Amsterdam, which has seen a rise in anti-Semitic attacks since the war in Gaza erupted.

Mayor Halsema said she was "ashamed" at what had happened on a "dark black day" for the city, as she announced she was stepping up security measures.

Israel President Isaac said the "shocking images" of a "pogrom" were reminiscent of the October 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel.

Halsema said she could "easily understand" the comparison to pogroms, adding: "This is an outburst of anti-Semitism that I hope to never see again."

"Our city has been deeply damaged. Jewish culture has been deeply threatened," she said.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof denounced the "terrible anti-Semitic attack".

"We will not tolerate (it). We will prosecute the perpetrators. And I'm deeply ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands in 2024," he said.

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