Israel’s national airline, El Al, organized and funded emergency flights to bring Israeli citizens home after they were targeted in a series of violent attacks in Amsterdam this past weekend.
The rescue operation, carried out by El Al at the company’s own expense, reportedly cost the airline several million shekels.
The attacks unfolded following a soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax on Thursday evening. Footage circulating online captured Israelis being chased and assaulted on the streets of Amsterdam.
According to Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf, the assaults were reportedly orchestrated through a Telegram group aimed at targeting Jewish individuals, sparking shock and condemnation from Jewish communities and officials worldwide.
In response to the escalating situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially announced plans for two rescue flights and authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare a rescue team for deployment.
However, as the situation evolved, the Prime Minister’s Office determined that a military rescue mission would not be necessary. Instead, civilian air travel arrangements would suffice to safely return affected Israeli citizens.
On Friday, El Al swiftly organized six emergency flights, followed by two more on Saturday. The airline transported approximately 2,000 Israelis back to Israel free of charge, operating the flights through Shabbat with special authorization from Israel’s Chief Rabbinate.
The urgency of the situation, along with high demand for information, led El Al to bolster its customer support services, handling over 10,000 calls with the help of hundreds of additional call center representatives.
El Al stated on Saturday that the company was committed to supporting Israeli citizens and the government in times of crisis. “El Al undertook to aid the Israeli public and the state and will continue to do so when needed,” the airline said in a statement.
The weekend’s events have reignited concerns about rising antisemitism in Europe, particularly as Israel confronts heightened tensions in the region.
Dutch authorities acted promptly, detaining 63 individuals in connection with the attacks; four suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
The rescue operation highlights the dedication of Israel’s national institutions to protecting its citizens worldwide.
El Al’s swift response and financial commitment to ensure the safe return of Israelis underscore its role as more than a commercial airline but also as a lifeline in times of national crisis.
The airline’s intervention has been widely praised, with many Israelis expressing gratitude for the safe return of loved ones in the face of rising antisemitic violence abroad.