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Nov. 8 (UPI) -- At least five people were hospitalized and more than 60 were arrested in Amsterdam overnight in what Dutch authorities said were "unacceptable" anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli soccer fans following a Europa League match in the city. Issuing assurances that the streets were now calm, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that the "anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens" were horrifying and completely unacceptable, vowing to punish those responsible.
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"Have been following the news from Amsterdam and am horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks on 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 to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone to stress that the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted. The situation in Amsterdam is now calm once more."
Running battles broke out on the streets of the city after the home team Ajax FC's 5-0 drubbing of the visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday night.
The Israel Foreign Ministry said hundreds of Israeli Maccabi supporters were "ambushed and brutally attacked."
"Mobs chanted anti-Israel slogans and proudly shared videos of their violent acts on social media -- kicking, beating, even running over Israeli citizens," the ministry said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel early Friday ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam to rescue citizens -- but later rescinded the order, his office saying in a statement that it was no longer necessary to mount "a professional rescue to the Netherlands."
Netherlands Police confirmed in a statement several incidents of violence aimed at Maccabi supporters during "a night of turbulence that saw it deploy 800 officers onto the streets and draft in reinforcement from across the country."
"In several places in the city, supporters were attacked. The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels," saying Israeli soccer supporters had been injured despite its efforts, although it did not state how many.
Netherlands Police said a major investigation was underway and that local authorities -- the mayor, police chief and chief public prosecutor -- were in contact with national government, the Israeli embassy and the Jewish community in Amsterdam, which was said to be "very concerned" about the situation.
"This outburst of violence towards 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 which urged all victims to come forward and file a report.
Police said it was critical that the Jewish community and Israeli visitors felt safe in Amsterdam, pledging a heightened police presence in the coming days to monitor the situation and maintain control. The force also vowed to devote additional efforts to ensure the security of Jewish institutions, sites and emblems across the city.
Speaking at a press briefing at City Hall on Friday, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema called it a "black night and a dark day" where Jewish life and culture was threatened.
Flanked by the head of police and chief public prosecutor, Halsema said men on scooters sought out Maccabi supporters for "hit and run" attacks, saying the "reprehensible" violence brought to mind pogroms against the Jews in the past in Holland and other parts of Europe.
"It's against everything we're proud of in Amsterdam. I'm very ashamed of the behavior that was shown last night. This is nothing like Amsterdam," she said.
Prosecutor Rene de Beukelaer said 62 people had been arrested all but 10 of whom had since been released after being fined for knife possession or throwing fireworks.
Two of those being held in custody are underage, with de Beukelaer adding that his office was looking at anti-Semitism as a potential motive.
However, Police Chief Peter Holla said Maccabi supporters had attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire on Wednesday but admitted he had been left "really shocked" by the events that followed.
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 there may have been a political dimension to the unrest, insisting that what had happened was a "crime" for which there could be no justification.
Holla played down reports of Israelis going missing, saying police had "no information that there are abductions or missing people", but pledged to fully 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 in the side, trying to get the owners to fire them, and attacking demonstrators opposed to Netanyahu.
Fans of the team have also previously attacked protesters demonstrating against Netanyahu.
