Israel has warned of attacks being planned at major events in countries including the UK against Jews and Israelis.
In a message posted online, Israel‘s National Security Council alerted citizens inside the country and overseas that pro-Palestinian supporters aim to unleash violent attacks under the guise of protests and demonstrations.
It comes after authorities in the Netherlands said Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans were attacked after a Europa League match in Amsterdam, leaving five people hospitalised.
Dutch and Israeli leaders denounced the attacks as antisemitic, though it was not clear how the violence erupted. Video has shown Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans in the streets ahead of the game.
Israel‘s National Security Council said in its statement that it has identified calls among pro-Palestinian groups to harm Israelis and Jews “under the pretence of demonstrations and protests” and taking advantage of mass sports and cultural events to “maximise the damage” and media coverage.
It added: “In addition, preparations to harm Israelis have been identified in several European cities, including Brussels (Belgium), major cities in the UK, Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Paris (France – around the upcoming match of the Israeli team on November 14).”
The warning instructs Israelis and Jews to avoid sports and cultural events involving the country abroad, particularly Israel‘s game in Paris.
Tel Aviv also advised people to conceal anything which could identify a person as Israeli or Jewish, including when booking taxis via apps.
Recent video footage has emerged showing a taxi driver in Amsterdam driving in the city, “Today we’re going on a Jew hunt”, according to reports.
Meanwhile, riot police in the Netherlands broke up a pro-Palestinian demonstration staged after a Dutch court upheld an emergency ban on public gatherings in the wake of the post-match violence.
The ban on demonstrations and the wearing of face coverings has been extended to Thursday (November 14), according to The Times.
But hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters ignored the ban and gathered anyway, chanting “Free Palestine” as they condemned the attribution of the post-match violence to pro-Palestinian supporters.
More than 100 people were arrested after riot police charged at the protesters with shields and batons, the same publication reports.
Further arrests are expected in relation to the post-match violence, with some suspects said to be facing terrorism charges.