Dutch Government Probes Missed Warning Signs in Assaults on Israeli Soccer Fans

The Dutch government is investigating potential warning signs from Israel that may have been missed leading up to recent assaults on Israeli soccer fans. Justice Minister David van Weel announced the investigation, which is focused on uncovering any antisemitic motives and organizing factors behind the attacks.

The Dutch government has launched an investigation into whether warning signs from Israel went unnoticed before the recent assaults on Israeli soccer fans, Justice Minister David van Weel informed Parliament.

The assaults, which left five people injured, involved fans from the visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv team. As of Saturday, police have held four individuals in custody from the 63 originally detained. Minister Van Weel indicated an urgent need for fast-track justice and said identifying every suspect is the top priority. The investigation will also consider if the attacks were organized with an antisemitic motive.

Political leaders widely condemned the assaults, labeling them antisemitic. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed his horror over the attacks and assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that perpetrators would face justice. Additional planes were dispatched to the Netherlands by Israel to bring fans home. Meanwhile, the city of Amsterdam imposed a weekend ban on demonstrations and granted police enhanced powers to address unrest.

Videos on social media depicted rioters taunting with anti-Israeli slurs and Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans. The incidents come amid a spike in antisemitic threats in the Netherlands following Israel's military actions in Gaza last year.

(With inputs from agencies.)