The violence against Israelis in Amsterdam on Thursday night was carried out by youngsters on mopeds who “criss-crossed the city looking for football club Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters,” city mayor Femke Halsema told a press conference on Friday morning. “It was hit and run.”

“I understand that it brings back memories of pogroms,” she said. “It is deeply damaging to the city”.

The mayor said that Maccabi supporters were not known to be violent and in football terms, the match was not considered high risk.

The counter-terrorism unit NCTV was unaware of any concrete threats, she said but said action would be needed to ensure there was no trouble, in particular given the combination of football and commemorations for Kristallnacht.

In total, 800 police officers were on duty and six riot police squads, an “extraordinary” number by Amsterdam standards, she said.

The investigation into what happened is ongoing, city public prosecutor René de Beukelaer told the press conference. In total, 62 people were arrested and 10 remain in custody – eight adults and two minors. Five people were taken to hospital with injuries and all have been released. Between 20 and 30 people received slight injuries.

The investigation, he said, would focus on anti-Semitism as a motive for the violence. “We are now trying to identify the perpetrators caught on film to arrest them. We are investigating whether there links between them… was it organised?”

Meanwhile, king Willem-Alexander has issued a statement about the anti-Israeli violence in Amsterdam, saying he had spoken with president Herzog and told him how shocked he was.

“We must not look away from antisemitic behaviour on our streets. History has taught us how intimidation goes from bad to worse, with horrific consequences. Jewish people must feel safe in the Netherlands, everywhere and at all times. We embrace them all and hold them close,” the king’s statement said.

Israel is no longer planning to send “rescue fights” with medical teams and IDF soldiers on board to pick up Israeli football supporters, The Times of Israel has reported. Instead Israeli airline El Al will run extra flights to take people home.

Talks

According to Israeli media, foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa’ar is heading to The Hague for talks with his Dutch counterpart Caspar Veldkamp about the violence. He will also meet Israelis in the Netherlands and members of the Jewish community.

Sa’ar will stress the urgent need to fight against antisemitism during meetings with Dutch officials, the Times of Israel said, adding that “the new antisemitism targets Israel and Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.”

A state of emergency has been declared in Amsterdam and Amstelveen for the weekend, which gives police the right to carry out random stop and searches. Extra police will be on duty and all demonstrations are banned. Security at Jewish buildings will be stepped up.