The assault on Israeli fans after a soccer game in Amsterdam last week by hordes of young people was planned on messaging apps just hours before the game, according to Dutch authorities and reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Five people were treated at hospitals and more than 60 people were arrested before and after the attacks, which were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel, and across Europe.
Reports of antisemitic speech, vandalism, and violence have been on the rise in Europe since the start of the war in Gaza, and tensions mounted in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday night's match between the Dutch team Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
According to the Journal, members of a pro-Palestinian WhatsApp group chat called for a "Jew Hunt" on Thursday.
"They knew everything," said Shachar Bitton, a 30-year-old Maccabi fan. "They knew exactly where we stayed. They knew exactly which hotels, which street we were going to take. It was all well-organized, well-prepared."
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he "views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity." He demanded that the Dutch government take "vigorous and swift action" against those involved.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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