Football match: horror after attacks on Israeli fans in Amsterdam

The attacks by pro-Palestinian rioters on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam have sparked international outrage and outrage. According to the authorities, the predominantly young perpetrators are said to have actively hunted down the Israelis who had previously attended Ajax Amsterdam’s Europa League game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Amsterdam in the afternoon to speak with representatives of the Dutch government. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof cut short his stay in Budapest at an EU summit.

The violence sparked outraged reactions in Israel. Politicians spoke of a hunt for Jews. The Israeli government wanted to send two planes to pick up Maccabi supporters. Dutch politicians were also horrified.

According to authorities, 20 to 30 people were injured in the attacks, most of them lightly. Five people were treated in hospitals but were released on Friday. The Israeli Foreign Ministry says it has now reached all Israelis in the Dutch capital. Three citizens were previously missing.

Authorities assume targeted attacks

The troublemakers “actively sought out Israeli fans in order to attack and abuse them,” said a statement from the city and police.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema spoke of a “deep black night” and a “disgrace for Amsterdam”. “In several places in the city, fans were besieged, abused and had fireworks thrown at them,” said Halsema. She condemned this “anti-Semitic behavior.” The city also announced tough security measures to protect Israelis and Jews in Amsterdam.

According to the public prosecutor’s office, ten suspects are still in custody, two of whom are minors. A total of 62 people were arrested during the riots. The public prosecutor’s office announced that it would aggressively pursue all suspected perpetrators.

Young people on motorcycles

According to the police, Israeli fans were targeted as they returned to the center late on Thursday evening after the football game. The Israelis persecuted and mistreated young people on mopeds in particular.

Eyewitnesses reported frightening moments in the Dutch media. They were chased, beaten and kicked by masked young men. Some had to run to safety in their hotels.

Tensions in advance

The game had already been classified as a risky game due to the political tensions. Extra security precautions had been taken. Around 800 officers were on duty.

Police pointed out that there had been clashes the night before. Tel Aviv fans also rioted and provoked. They burned Palestinian flags and shouted offensive slogans. But that is in no way an excuse for the anti-Semitic attacks, the mayor emphasized.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof spoke of “unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis.” The Dutch King Willem-Alexander was shocked. “We must not turn a blind eye to anti-Semitic behavior on our streets,” he explained.

There were also reactions from Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the events in Amsterdam on X as unbearable. “Anyone who attacks Jews is attacking us all. Jews must be able to feel safe in Europe.” US President Joe Biden said: “The anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam are despicable and reminiscent of dark moments in history when Jews were persecuted.”

The radical right-wing populist Geert Wilders wrote on X: “A pogrom in the streets of Amsterdam. (…) Muslims with Palestinian flags are hunting Jews.”

The European Football Union UEFA also “strongly condemned” the violence. “We trust that the relevant authorities will identify and charge as many people as possible responsible for these actions,” a UEFA statement continued.

Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) called on Israelis not to go to a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game in Bologna on Friday evening. Calls for violence against Jews and Israelis continued to circulate online, and copycat acts were possible, the council warned. The NSC advised fans not to wear Israeli or Jewish identifying symbols.