Israel warns of attacks across Europe and urges citizens to avoid large events

Israel has urged its citizens to stay away from cultural and sporting events in European countries including the UK after violence broke out against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam.
Israel’s National Security Council on Sunday claimed pro-Palestinian groups were calling for attacks on Israelis and Jews in multiple European cities – including in the UK – “under the pretence of demonstrations and protests”.
It urged Israelis abroad to follow “precautionary” travel measures, including “categorically avoid attending Israeli sports/cultural events abroad”, “stay away from demonstrations and protests of any kind”, and “be extra careful about concealing anything that could identify you as Israeli/Jewish”.
The warning comes after violence against Israeli football fans broke out in Amsterdam last week.
Police in the Dutch capital launched a large-scale investigation on Friday after gangs of youths conducted what Amsterdam’s mayor called “hit and run” attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans that were apparently inspired by calls on social media to target Jewish people.
Five people were treated at hospitals and more than 60 people were arrested following the violence, which Dutch authorities branded “antisemitic”.
Friction had been growing in the days leading up to the match.
A planned pro-Palestinian demonstration near the football stadium had already been banned by Amsterdam’s mayor, who had feared there would be clashes between protesters and supporters of the Israeli football club.
Dutch broadcaster NOS also reported a Palestinian flag was ripped off a building in the city centre on Wednesday.
On Monday, the Israeli security council said: “In the past few days, there have been calls among pro-Palestinian/terrorist-supporter groups to harm Israelis and Jews, under the pretence of demonstrations and protests, taking advantage of mass gatherings (sports and cultural events) to maximize the damage and the media coverage.
“In addition, preparations to harm Israelis have been identified in several European cities, including Brussels, major cities in the UK, Amsterdam, and Paris (France – around the upcoming match of the Israeli team on November 14).”
The UK government said police and security services were working “to ensure the safety of every community in this country”.
A Government spokesperson said: “There is no place for antisemitism on our streets and we will not allow cultural and sporting events to be hijacked by those who seek to promote hate.
“Those who push this poison – offline and online – will face the full force of the law.
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“Police and the security services continue to work to ensure the safety of every community in this country.”
Israel’s ambassador to the Netherlands said that 2,000 Israelis were brought home on special flights from Amsterdam following the scenes of violence, which took place following a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi.
Paris police said on Sunday that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a football match between Israel and France on Thursday to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation.
French President Emmanual Macron has said he will attend the match in solidarity with Israel.
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