Netanyahu orders rescue aircraft for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans after Amsterdam riots and alleged attack

Fans from Israel arrived in Amsterdam on Wednesday to support Maccabi Tel Aviv in their Europa League match. However, their arrival was met with hostility as they were attacked by a group of pro-Palestinian supporters in the city. A video clip captured the moment when a Maccabi supporter was pushed into a canal and coerced to say "free Palestine."

During hours-long riots that ensued, a group of Israelis took a Palestinian flag down from a residential building in central Amsterdam.

“On Rokin [Street], a Palestinian flag was pulled from a house front by currently unknown individuals. On Max Euwe Square, police prevented a confrontation between a group of taxi drivers and a group of visitors who emerged from the adjacent casino,” the police statement said.

At the time of writing, no casualties were reported with several Israeli fans sustaining minor injuries.

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After the attacks on fans, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered rescue planes to help Maccabi Tel Aviv fans get back to the nation on priority. Netanyahu has reportedly spoken to the Israeli embassy in Amsterdam before the decision was taken on Friday (Nov 8) morning.

European football’s governing body – UEFA is yet to speak on the issue with actions soon expected. A similar incident earlier this year took place when Israel were set to play Scotland in the Nations League. Due to fan tension, the fixture was played behind closed doors to avoid any violence.