AMSTERDAM – Amsterdam police said Friday that five people were hospitalized and 62 arrested after authorities said anti-Semitic rioters attacked Israeli fans after a soccer match.

Police said in a post on X that they have launched a major investigation into multiple violent incidents. The publication did not provide further details about those injured or detained in Thursday night’s violence.

Previously, a statement issued by the municipality, the police and the prosecutor’s office in the Dutch capital said that the night after the european league match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv “was very turbulent with several incidents of violence directed at Maccabi fans.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s previous story follows below.

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Rioters “actively sought out Israeli fans to attack and assault them” after a soccer match, Amsterdam authorities said Friday as Israel announced it would send planes to the Dutch capital to take fans away. home.

An unknown number of Israeli supporters were injured in Thursday night’s violence that was condemned by the leaders of the Netherlands and Israel as anti-Semitic.

A statement issued by the municipality, police and prosecutor’s office in the Dutch capital said that the night after the european league match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv “was very turbulent with several incidents of violence directed at Maccabi fans.”

There was no immediate information on the number of injuries or arrests and it was not immediately clear when and where violence broke out after the match.

“In several places in the city, supporters were attacked. The police had to intervene several times, protecting Israeli supporters and escorting them to hotels. “Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters have been injured,” the Amsterdam statement said.

“This outbreak of violence against Israeli supporters is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way. “There is no excuse for the anti-Semitic behavior exhibited last night by rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them,” he added.

Authorities said additional police would patrol the city in the coming days and that security would be beefed up at Jewish institutions in the city that has a large Jewish community and was home to World War II Jewish journalist Anne Frank and her family. while hiding from the Nazi occupiers.

The violence broke out despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the football stadium imposed by Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, who feared clashes would break out between protesters and supporters of the Israeli football club.

There were also incidents involving fans before the game. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that a Palestinian flag was torn down from a building in the city center and riot police blocked pro-Palestinian supporters who were trying to march towards the Johan Cruyff Arena where the match was being played.

Israel ordered two planes to be sent to the Dutch capital to bring the Israelis home.

A statement from Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that “the harsh images of the attack on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked” and that Netanyahu “views the horrific incident with the utmost seriousness.” He demanded that the Dutch government take “strong and swift” measures. action” against those involved.

Netanyahu’s office added that he had called for greater security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in X that he followed reports of violence “with horror.”

“Anti-Semitic attacks against Israelis completely unacceptable. “I am in close contact with everyone involved,” he added, saying he had spoken with Netanyahu and “emphasized that the perpetrators will be located and prosecuted. Now tranquility reigns in the capital.”

Geert Wilders, the far-right nationalist lawmaker whose Freedom Party won elections in the Netherlands last year and who is a staunch ally of Israel, reacted to a video that appeared to show a Maccabi fan surrounded by several men.

“It looks like a hunt for Jews in the streets of Amsterdam. Arrest and deport the multicultural scum who attacked Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in our streets. It is a shame that this can happen in Holland. Totally unacceptable,” Wilders said.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also condemned the violence in a post on social media platform X.

Ajax won the Europa League match 5-0.