The Amsterdam mayor condemned recent “hit-and-run” attacks targeting visiting Israeli football fans, as a plane carrying them home successfully landed in Israel.
In response to escalating violence targeting Israeli fans following Ajax’s Europa League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, Amsterdam police detained more than 60 individuals. Authorities labeled the incidents as “hateful antisemitic violence,” describing organized assaults on Israeli fans, with attackers reportedly using scooters to search for victims throughout the city. Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema condemned the violence as an unprecedented “outburst of antisemitism,” sparking concerns for the city’s Jewish community and intensifying international condemnation.
Table of Contents
Incident Details and Escalation
The violence began after Maccabi fans tore down a Palestinian flag, leading to clashes and inflammatory social media posts. Verified videos circulated, showing Maccabi fans chanting provocative slogans and setting off flares in central Amsterdam, reportedly shouting, “Olé, olé, let the IDF win, we will [expletive] the Arabs.” The disturbances reached a peak when approximately 400 Israeli supporters were escorted by police from a local casino. Later, on Dam Square, scuffles ensued between opposing groups, which escalated into physical confrontations.
As the attacks spread, Amsterdam authorities implemented an emergency three-day ban on public demonstrations and granted police stop-and-search powers to prevent further disturbances. The city’s police chief, Peter Holla, reported “incidents on both sides” and underscored the challenges of maintaining order despite an increased police presence, which included 800 officers that night.
Local Reaction and Witness Accounts
Residents in Amsterdam’s city center, including Theodoor van Boven, a local business owner, expressed shock at witnessing coordinated groups of individuals, primarily on scooters, pursuing people wearing yellow (Maccabi’s team colors). Van Boven observed that attackers were in contact by phone, hinting at a level of organization. One fan, identified as Pnina, reported hiding in her hotel due to safety concerns, while other witnesses described feeling threatened by both the confrontations and the atmosphere surrounding the match.
International Condemnation and Comparisons to Kristallnacht
The attacks garnered significant international condemnation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the incidents as a “planned antisemitic attack against Israeli citizens.” In a statement, he drew comparisons to Kristallnacht, the 1938 pogrom in Nazi Germany, underscoring the gravity of the attacks’ impact on Jewish communities worldwide. Netanyahu initially considered deploying Israeli military rescue planes to Amsterdam but later redirected efforts to commercial flights, facilitated by Israel’s national carrier, El Al. The airline organized immediate flights, including sabbath-approved services, to bring supporters home.
The violence coincided with commemorations of Kristallnacht in the Netherlands, prompting Jewish community leaders and organizations to express concerns about rising antisemitism under the guise of anti-Zionism. Chanan Hertzberger, head of the Central Jewish Consultation, described the attacks as part of a broader trend in the Netherlands.
Response from the Dutch Government and Calls for Accountability
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof condemned the violence as “completely unacceptable,” stressing his commitment to identifying and prosecuting those involved. Amsterdam officials are conducting a “major investigation” into the multiple incidents, with police reports indicating that five people required medical attention following the assaults. Schoof reportedly spoke with Netanyahu, assuring him of the Dutch government’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.
Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party, criticized the Dutch government’s handling of the situation, describing it as a failure to protect Israeli visitors. His remarks, though controversial, highlighted the intensifying political discourse surrounding the safety of Jewish and Israeli communities in Europe amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Widespread European Condemnation
European leaders voiced their disapproval, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemning the attacks as “vile,” and the UN calling the violence “deeply troubling.” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her shame over the events, while the United States’ special envoy on antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt, requested a formal investigation. The governing body of European football, UEFA, also released a statement denouncing the violence, underscoring the need for safe environments for all fans.
Ajax, the hosting football club, expressed regret over the incidents, thanking fans for their cooperation during the match but voicing dismay over the violence that later ensued in the city center. The club’s brief statement highlighted their commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive sports environment.
This escalating situation in Amsterdam underscores ongoing concerns about rising antisemitic and Islamophobic tensions across Europe, especially amid the broader geopolitical unrest.
