Dutch capital declared ‘high-risk’ area after attack on Israeli football fans

Local authorities in Amsterdam issued an emergency order declaring the Dutch capital a “high-risk security area” following attacks on Israeli football supporters on Thursday night.

The emergency measures, which also cover the Amstelveen area, include enabling “preventive searches,” a ban on demonstrations and increased police presence.

The imposition of the measures comes after supporters of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv football team were attacked at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena after a Europa League match against Dutch team Ajax. The Dutch side won the match 5-0.

The emergency order, instituted on Friday, also bans “face-covering clothing when accompanied by potential disruptions to public order” and prescribes “additional attention and security for Jewish institutions and other vulnerable sites.”

The measures will be in place for “at least this weekend” and until further notice, according to the local authorities.

The Dutch government, meanwhile, is investigating if possible warning signs from Israel were missed in the events leading up to the assaults on Israeli football fans, Justice Minister David van Weel said in a letter to the Dutch parliament.

“An investigation is still being conducted on possible warning signs from Israel,” Van Weel said in his letter late Friday, Reuters reported.