Violence Against Israeli Football Fans in Amsterdam
On November 8, 2024, a distressing incident unfolded in Amsterdam where ten supporters of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv were injured following violent attacks by a pro-Palestinian mob. The attacks occurred after Maccabi Tel Aviv's defeat to Ajax in the Europa League, leading to chaos in the streets as fans left the stadium. Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media depict masked assailants, some brandishing Palestinian flags, assaulting fans while shouting slogans like 'Free Palestine!'.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded swiftly, urging Dutch authorities to take decisive action against the rioters and announced the dispatch of two planes to assist the injured fans. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has advised citizens in Amsterdam to seek help through their emergency hotline, as the situation escalated with reports of stabbings and severe beatings. The Ministry's statement emphasized the need for safety, urging fans to remain indoors due to the organized nature of the violence.
Eyewitness Accounts and Reactions
The atmosphere in Amsterdam turned hostile as approximately 3,000 Maccabi Tel Aviv fans gathered for the match, hoping for a reprieve from the ongoing conflict in Israel. However, post-match celebrations quickly devolved into violence, with many fans reporting ambushes by groups of assailants. Some fans described harrowing experiences of being chased and attacked, with several suffering serious injuries.
Naor Roda, a fan present during the attacks, expressed his shock on social media, stating, 'It's a shame what's happening here, I feel like I'm in Rafah.' Others echoed his sentiments, highlighting a sense of fear and abandonment as they faced violent mobs without adequate police presence. The Israeli embassy in the Netherlands is actively involved in coordinating responses to assist fans in distress, while local authorities have promised increased police presence in the affected areas.
The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of Israeli citizens abroad, particularly in the context of rising tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
