Violence Erupts in Amsterdam Against Israeli Fans Following Soccer Match
A disturbing incident unfolded in Amsterdam on the night of November 7, 2024, when supporters of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team were violently attacked following their match against Ajax. The match ended with a 5-0 defeat for Maccabi Tel Aviv, but the real turmoil began outside the stadium, where groups of masked assailants ambushed the Israeli fans. Reports indicate that five individuals were hospitalized as a result of the attacks, while 62 others were arrested by local police.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence, characterizing it as a "premeditated anti-Semitic attack." Herzog expressed his horror at the events, calling them a "wake-up call for any country that wants to defend the values of freedom." He urged Dutch authorities to act decisively to protect Israeli citizens and the Jewish community in the Netherlands. Netanyahu echoed these sentiments, demanding swift action against the perpetrators and emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Diplomatic Response and Community Reactions
In response to the violence, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced an urgent diplomatic visit to Amsterdam to address the situation. He described the attacks as "terrible, barbaric, and anti-Semitic terrorist acts," highlighting the broader implications for Europe and beyond. The Israeli government is also facilitating the repatriation of citizens affected by the attacks, with two rescue planes dispatched to bring them home.
The attacks have sparked outrage within the Jewish community and beyond. Yonathan Arfi, president of CRIF, denounced the events as "mass anti-Semitic lynchings," attributing the resurgence of such violence to the exploitation of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He stated that the anti-Semitic sentiment had been allowed to flourish, leading to predictable outcomes like the violence witnessed in Amsterdam. Witnesses reported that some attackers were heard shouting pro-Palestinian slogans during the assaults, further intensifying the political implications of the incident.
