(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 8 - Rampant anti-Semitism is unacceptable, Pfemier Giorgia Meloni said Friday after attacks on Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans allegedly by Ajax supporters and others in Amsterdam Thursday night.
    "Rampant anti-Semitism is unacceptable and frightening and it is our duty to guarantee full security to citizens of the Jewish religion", Meloni said according to a note from her office at Palazzo Chigi in Rome.
    On the sidelines of the informal European Council in Budapest, the press release continued, Meloni "expressed deep concern to Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof over the attack suffered by Israeli fans in Amsterdam." Maccabi fans were targeted by men on scooters in what Mayor Femke Halsema said recalled Jewish pogroms.
    She said she was "furious" at the alleged attacks.
    The Maccabi fans allegedly earlier clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters, burned a Palestinian flag and attacked a taxi, allegedly shouting anti-Arab slurs.
    Five people were taken to hospital but discharged Friday morning.
    Amsterdam leftwing city councillor Jazie Veldhuyzen told Al Jazeera: "They started attacking people's houses with Palestinian flags hanging on them, so that's where the violence started. In response, the people of Amsterdam mobilized and countered the attacks started by the Maccabi hooligans".
    Veldhuyzen posted on his X profile the slogans 'IDF finish the Arabs' and 'There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left' which, according to some unverified videos, Maccabi fans had chanted on the streets of the Dutch city before the clashes.
    Maccabi ultras are said to be apolitical but with extremist fringes while Ajax supporters have traditionally been seen as close to Israel and the Jews. (ANSA).