Nov. 8 (UPI) — At least five people were hospitalized and more than 60 were arrested in Amsterdam overnight in what Dutch authorities called “unacceptable” anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli soccer fans after a Europa League match in the city.

Assuring that the streets were now calm, Dutch Prime Minister Richard Schoof said the “anti-Semitic attacks against Israeli citizens” were horrific and completely unacceptable, and promised to punish those responsible.

“I have been following the news from Amsterdam and am horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks against Israeli citizens. This is completely unacceptable,” Schoof wrote in a post on X.

“I am in close contact with all parties involved and have just spoken by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to underline that the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted. The situation in Amsterdam is now calm once again.”

Battles broke out on the city streets after local team Ajax FC defeated visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0 at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday night.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying Hundreds of Israeli Maccabi supporters were “ambushed and brutally attacked.”

“The mobs chanted anti-Israel slogans and proudly shared videos of their violent acts on social media: kicking, hitting and even running over Israeli citizens,” the ministry said in a statement. a statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel earlier Friday ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam to rescue citizens, but later rescinded the orderHis office said in a statement that it was no longer necessary to organize “a professional rescue in the Netherlands.”

Dutch police confirmed in a statement several incidents of violence targeting Maccabi supporters during “a night of turbulence that saw 800 officers deployed to the streets and reinforcements recruited from across the country.”

“In several places in the city, fans were attacked. The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli fans and escort them to hotels”, stating that Israeli football fans had been injured despite their efforts, although He did not indicate how many.

Dutch police said a major investigation was underway and that local authorities (the mayor, police chief and attorney general) were in contact with the national government, the Israeli embassy and the Jewish community in Amsterdam, who was said to be “very worried.” “about the situation.

“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,” said the force that urged all victims to come forward and file a report.

Police said it was essential that the Jewish community and Israeli visitors feel safe in Amsterdam, and promised an increased police presence in the coming days to monitor the situation and maintain control. The force also promised to dedicate additional efforts to ensure the security of Jewish institutions, sites and emblems throughout the city.

At a press conference at City Hall on Friday, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema called it “black night and a dark day” where Jewish life and culture were threatened.

Flanked by the police chief and the attorney general, Halsema said men on scooters sought out Maccabi supporters for “hit-and-run” attacks, saying the “reprehensible” violence was reminiscent of past anti-Jewish pogroms in Holland and other parts of Europe.

“It goes against everything we are proud of in Amsterdam. I am very ashamed of the behavior that was displayed last night. This is nothing like Amsterdam,” she said.

Prosecutor René de Beukelaer said 62 people had been arrested, all but 10 of whom had been released after being fined for possessing knives or setting off fireworks.

Two of those detained are minors, and de Beukelaer added that his office was considering anti-Semitism as a potential motive.

However, Police Chief Peter Holla said Maccabi supporters attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire on Wednesday, but admitted the events that followed left him “really shocked”.

Footage circulating online appeared to show Maccabi Tel Aviv fans shouting racist chants about Arabs and Palestinians and tearing a Palestinian flag from a building.

Halsema rejected suggestions that the riots could have a political dimension, insisting that what happened was a “crime” for which there could be no justification.

Holla downplayed reports of Israeli disappearances, saying police had “no information that there were any kidnappings or missing persons,” but pledged to thoroughly investigate any such reports.

The BBC reported that some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been involved in racist incidents in Israel in the past, including verbally abusing Palestinian and Arab players on the team, attempting to have them fired by owners, and attacking protesters opposed to Netanyahu.

The team’s fans also previously attacked protesters demonstrating against Netanyahu.