Dutch authorities reported that five people were hospitalized and 62 were detained after attackers targeted Israeli football fans before and after a match in Amsterdam. The violence was widely condemned as antisemitic by European leaders. Amsterdam banned all demonstrations in the city for three days following the attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent planes to bring fans home and called for increased security for the Jewish community. Leaders across Europe, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, condemned the attacks as antisemitic.
The violence in Amsterdam began before the Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax and continued after the game, which Ajax won 5-0. Videos on social media showed chaos on the streets, with attackers chanting anti-Israeli slurs and football fans responding with anti-Arab slogans. Amsterdam’s acting police chief described the attacks as a “wilful attack” on Israeli supporters. Despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration, clashes erupted between Israeli fans and local protesters.
Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema stated that the Maccabi fans were attacked, abused, and pelted with fireworks by “antisemitic hit-and-run squads” who evaded police. Additional security measures had been implemented in the city ahead of the match, but a risk assessment conducted earlier found no concrete threat. Halsema has proposed an emergency debate on the incident, which is currently under investigation. Dutch King Willem-Alexander drew a connection between the violence and the Holocaust, expressing that the Netherlands had “failed the Jewish community.”
The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has sparked protests across Europe, with tensions running high. In March, pro-Palestinian demonstrations broke out in Amsterdam during the opening of a new Holocaust museum. European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have strongly condemned the attacks as antisemitic. They emphasized that antisemitism has no place in Europe and called for increased security for the Jewish community. Netanyahu and Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof have also spoken out against the violence, with Netanyahu sending planes to bring Israeli fans back home.
The violence in Amsterdam serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted issues surrounding antisemitism and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The attacks on Israeli football fans have been widely condemned by world leaders, with calls for unity and increased security measures to protect the Jewish community in Europe. The incident has sparked debates on the failure to prevent such violence and the need for greater awareness and action against antisemitism. The connections drawn between the Holocaust and the recent attacks highlight the importance of addressing historical traumas and promoting tolerance and understanding among different communities. As investigations into the incident continue, it is crucial for authorities to take strong measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs.
