AMSTERDAM (AP) — Amsterdam officials said Friday that rioters were “actively seeking out Israeli fans to attack and assault them,” after Israel announced it would send planes to the Dutch capital to fly fans home.

An unknown number of Israeli supporters were injured in Thursday night’s violence, which both Dutch and Israeli leaders condemned as anti-Semitic.

In the statement issued by the municipality, police and prosecutor’s office of the Dutch capital, the night after the incident Europa League match The match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv was “quite tumultuous with several incidents of violence against Maccabi fans.”

There was no immediate word on the number of injuries or arrests, and it was not immediately clear when and where violence broke out after the match.

“Fans were attacked in many parts of the city. Police repeatedly had to intervene, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels. In the Amsterdam statement, it was stated that Israeli supporters were injured despite the heavy police presence in the city.

“This outburst of violence against Israeli supporters is unacceptable and indefensible in any way. “There is no excuse for the antisemitic behavior displayed last night by the rioters who actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and attack them,” he added.

Officials said extra police would patrol the city in the coming days and security would be stepped up at Jewish institutions in the city, which has a large Jewish community and is home to Jewish World War II diarist Anne Frank and her family, who hid from Nazi invaders.

The violence broke out despite Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema banning a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the football stadium, fearing clashes between protesters and fans of an Israeli football club.

Before the match, there were incidents involving fans. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that a Palestinian flag was torn down on a building in the city center and riot police blocked pro-Palestinian fans who tried to march towards the Johan Cruyff Arena stadium, where the match was played.

Israel ordered two planes to be sent to the Dutch capital to bring the Israelis home.

In the statement made by Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, it was stated that “the harsh images of the attack on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be ignored” and that Netanyahu “takes the terrible incident extremely seriously.” He demanded that the Dutch government take “strong and swift action” against those involved.

Netanyahu’s office added that he had called for increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he followed the news of violence on channel X with “horror”.

“Totally unacceptable antisemitic attacks against Israelis. “I am in close contact with everyone involved,” he added, adding that he had spoken to Netanyahu and emphasizing that “the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted.” “There is silence in the capital now.”

Far-right nationalist MP Geert Wilders, whose Freedom Party won elections in the Netherlands last year and is a staunch ally of Israel, reacted to a video showing a Maccabi fan surrounded by several people.

“It’s like a Jew hunt on the streets of Amsterdam. Arrest and deport the multicultural scum who attack Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in our streets. I’m ashamed that this could happen in the Netherlands. It’s completely unacceptable,” said Wilders.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also condemned the violence in a post on the social media platform X.

Ajax won the Europa League match 5-0.