Amsterdam police chief shocked by violent mob attack on Jews after soccer match

Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla stated at a press conference on Friday that the past 36 hours have shocked him.“Supporters from Israel have experienced anxious moments, have been deliberately attacked and some have been outrageously abused,” he said in Dutch.“I would like to express my sympathy and support for the injured and all supporters who have felt or still feel unsafe.

Protecting these people is our top priority, along with tracking down individuals who have been involved in the violent incidents.”Holla said at the conference, held at 12:30 p.m.local time, that police had been preparing for weeks ahead of Ajax Amsterdam’s Europa League soccer game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

(JNS used an English translation of a posted Dutch release.)Due to “an announced pro-Palestinian demonstration” and the commemoration of Kristallnacht, “we anticipated risks to public order,” he said.“We have prepared the maximum.”Some 800 officers were brought in from all over the country.

“A size of this commitment is exceptionally large for Amsterdam standards,” he said.That included mobile units, police on horseback, dogs, scouts, arrest units, peace and football units and a “water thrower was ready at the stadium,” he said.Still, there were “small upheavals” that went “back and forth” between Maccabi supporters and those of an Istanbul soccer team, according to the police chief.“A flag is removed from the facade by Maccabi supporters on the Rokin.

They destroy a taxi.A Palestinian flag is set on fire on Dam Square,” he said.

“An online call for taxi drivers to mobilize appears.The taxi drivers go to the Holland Casino where there are currently 400 Israeli supporters.” (The Dam is a central square in Amsterdam with medieval origins.)“Police have safely escorted supporters from the casino out,” he said, with police preventing a “major confrontation” between the groups and order was restored at 3:30 a.m.On Thursday, a “large...