Netherlands Investigates 'Ignoring Israeli Warnings' Before Amsterdam Incidents

David van Wijl, the Dutch Minister of Justice, announced in a letter to the parliament that the government is investigating why Israeli warnings were ignored prior to the incidents on Thursday night against supporters of the Israeli team in Amsterdam. Van Wijl added in the letter that 'absolute priority' is given to identifying each suspect. The Dutch police announced on Saturday, November 19, that four out of a total of 63 individuals arrested are still in custody. Before sending this letter, the Minister of Justice met with Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, who traveled to Amsterdam to oversee the rescue operations for Israeli citizens. Van Wijl stated in a post on the social media platform 'X': 'I emphasize that the Netherlands strongly condemns violence and that there is no place for hatred and anti-Semitism [in the Netherlands].' During his visit to the Netherlands, Gideon Sa'ar also met with Geert Wilders, a right-wing politician and head of the largest party in the Dutch parliament. Mr. Wilders stated that he assured the Israeli Foreign Minister that combating anti-Semitism is in the interest of both countries and that 'extremist Islamic values have no place in a free society.' Warnings from the Mossad: A senior Israeli security official stated on Friday, November 18, that Israeli security services have witnessed an increase in tensions on social media in the Netherlands and calls from pro-Palestinian groups for violent demonstrations near the stadium where the match was held. According to him, the Mossad informed Dutch security services about this issue and requested that they immediately enhance security measures around the stadium, the hotel where Israeli spectators were staying, and the city of Amsterdam. This Israeli security official added that Israeli security services were aware of the threats but did not issue warnings for supporters of the Israeli football team. Hebrew media reported on Friday that other Israeli ministries were also informed of the threats before the match, including warnings about the possibility of such attacks on Wednesday, November 16. Following violent attacks on supporters of the 'Maccabi' Tel Aviv football team in the streets of Amsterdam, officials banned demonstrations for three days starting from Friday, November 18. The Mayor of Amsterdam stated that Maccabi supporters faced 'assault, harassment, and being targeted with fireworks,' and riot police had to intervene to protect them and accompany them to their hotel. During these attacks, at least five individuals were treated in the hospital. Videos circulated on social media show Dutch riot police attempting to restore calm while some assailants chant anti-Israeli slogans. One video, verified by Reuters, shows a group of men running near Amsterdam's central station, chasing and attacking others. Another verified video shows Maccabi supporters chanting slogans in support of the Israeli army and against Arabs. Since the attack by Hamas militants, a group supported by the Islamic Republic, on Israel on October 7 of last year, which triggered extensive Israeli attacks on Gaza, anti-Semitic violence has increased in the Netherlands and several other countries, with many Jewish institutions and schools reporting threats and receiving hate mail. Damon Golriz: The Amsterdam incident shows that the Dutch government is facing a serious problem. Israelis are concerned about the safety of sports teams in other countries. Demonstrations in Amsterdam, Netherlands, have been banned for three days. Attack on Israelis in Amsterdam; police: hostage-taking is possible. Widespread criticism of the attack on Israeli citizens in Amsterdam. Attack on Israeli citizens in Amsterdam, Netherlands; the U.S. condemned it.