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Youth clash with Israeli football fans outside Amsterdam Central station
Israeli football supporters and Dutch youth clash near Amsterdam Central station, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, November 8, 2024, in this still image obtained from a social media video. X/iAnnet/via REUTERS Image: Reuters/X/iAnnet
world

Amsterdam bans protests after 'antisemitic squads' attack Israeli soccer fans

59 Comments
By Anthony Deutsch and Bart H. Meijer

Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the mayor called "antisemitic hit-and-run squads", and Israel sent planes to the Netherlands to fly fans home.

Mayor Femke Halsema said Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been "attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks" around the city, and that riot police intervened to protect them and escort them to hotels. At least five people were treated in hospital.

Videos on social media showed riot police in action, with some attackers shouting anti-Israeli slurs. Footage also showed Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans before Thursday evening's match.

"We saw a lot of demonstrations, a lot of people running. It was really, really terrifying," said Joni Pogrebetsy, an Israeli soccer fan in Amsterdam for the match.

Antisemitic incidents have surged in the Netherlands since Israel launched its assault on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza after the attacks on Israel by Hamas militants in October last year, with many Jewish organizations and schools reporting threats and hate mail.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government sent planes to the Netherlands to bring fans home, while foreign minister Gideon Saar flew to Amsterdam for impromptu meetings with the Dutch government and far-right leader Geert Wilders.

Amsterdam banned demonstrations through the weekend and gave police emergency stop-and-search powers in response to the unrest, which exposed deep anger over the Gaza-Israel conflict.

More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions displaced in Israel's military offensive on Gaza, according to health officials there, launched after Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostage in the initial cross-border attack, according to Israel.

In Washington, U.S. President Biden condemned the attacks as "despicable" and said they "echo dark moments in history when Jews persecuted". United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked by the violence in Amsterdam, a U.N. spokesperson said.

SECURITY TIGHTENED

Mayor Halsema said police had been taken by surprise after security services failed to flag the match against Ajax Amsterdam, traditionally identified as a Jewish club, as high-risk.

"Antisemitic hit-and-run squads" had managed to evade a force of around 200 officers, she said.

Security was tightened in the city, where a service was planned at a Jewish monument on Saturday to remember Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom against Jews across Germany on Nov. 9-10, 1938.

One video verified by Reuters showed a group of men running near Amsterdam central station, chasing and assaulting other men as police sirens sounded.

Another verified video showed Maccabi fans setting off flares and chanting "Ole, ole, let the IDF win...", referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was "horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens" and had assured Netanyahu by phone that "the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted".

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, who he said had "expressed deep horror and shock".

Herzog quoted the king as saying the Netherlands had failed its Jewish community during World War Two - under Nazi occupation and persecution - and again on Thursday night.

Anti-Muslim politician Wilders, head of the largest party in the government, said he was "ashamed that this can happen in the Netherlands". In a post on X, he blamed "criminal Muslims" and said they should be deported.

Police said there had been incidents before the game, for which 3,000 Maccabi supporters travelled to Amsterdam.

ISRAEL SAYS VIOLENCE RECALLS EUROPEAN POGROMS

The Israeli embassy in The Hague said mobs had chanted anti-Israel slogans and shared videos of their violence on social media, "kicking, beating, even running over Israeli citizens".

"On the eve of Kristallnacht — when Jews in Nazi Germany faced brutal attacks — it is horrifying to witness antisemitic violence on the streets of Europe once again," it said.

Police said 62 suspects had been detained after the game as pro-Palestinian demonstrators tried to reach the Johan Cruyff Arena, even though the city had forbidden a protest there. Ten remained in custody on Friday.

They said fans had left the stadium without incident after the Europa League match, which Ajax won 5-0, but that clashes erupted overnight in the city centre.

Herzog was among senior Israeli politicians who said the violence recalled the attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen last year as well as attacks on European Jews in the pogroms of previous centuries.

"We see with horror this morning, the shocking images and videos that since October 7th, we had hoped never to see again: an anti-Semitic pogrom currently taking place against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and Israeli citizens in the heart of Amsterdam," he wrote on X.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said that the mass killing by Israeli forces in Gaza and lack of international intervention to stop it "is likely to lead to such spontaneous repercussions".

"This emphasizes that stopping the genocide in Gaza is an essential part of respecting and protecting human rights, as well as ensuring regional and global security and peace," he told Reuters.

The Gaza war has led to protests in support of both sides across Europe and the United States, and both Jews and Arabs have been attacked.

© Thomson Reuters 2024.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


59 Comments

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No matter which side of the fence one is on regarding the war in Palestine, attacking football fans based on their nationality is clearly the work of vermin. These animals need to be rounded up and incarcerated.

"kicking, beating, even running over Israeli citizens".

Peaceful protests are fine, but attacking football fans is despicable. I think we know the background of those perpetrators - a demographic European cities are now flooded with.

-5 ( +11 / -16 )

Another verified video showed Maccabi fans setting off flares and chanting "Ole, ole, let the IDF win, we will fck the Arabs", referring to the Israel Defense Forces.*

There are also reports on the BBC of Macabi Haifa fans attacking taxis and burning Palestinian flags in Amsterdam.

Yeah, so as UN verified reports coming out that around 70% of the 45,000 odd thousand people that they have been able to identify as killed in Gaza (way more bodies under the rubble currently unaccounted for) are women and children, you have the young Israeli men who have either served in the IDF, or will shortly, going to Europe and doing this.

Are they seriously going to try to claim to be victims here? This is next levels of entitlement, arrogance and callousness.

I have absolutely no sympathy for them, and that has nothing to do with their ethnicity, religious beliefs or whatever.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

Thanks social media!

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Footage also showed Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans before Thursday evening's match.

Flattening the whole Gaza is not enough? Now they are targeting Palestine symbol in Amsterdam?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMaV5mgXOKk

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/israeli-hooligans-target-palestinian-symbols-stirring-tension-in-amsterdam-reports/3387868

-2 ( +13 / -15 )

"antisemitic squads" = rascist thugs

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

Now they are targeting Palestine symbol in Amsterdam?

Fine then let the criminal system settle it

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Jews are not a separate race. Anyone can become Jewish. Sad and disgraceful affair for Amsterdam and football. Some Israelis were shouting anti-Palestinian slogans.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the mayor called "antisemitic hit-and-run squads", and Israel sent planes to the Netherlands to fly fans home. Mayor Femke Halsema said Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been "attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks" around the city, and that riot police intervened to protect them and escort them to hotels. “—Hmm, maybe they shouldn’t even be there in the first place(?)—a Dutch team playing an Israeli team…—is this the FIFA Club World Cup or something?—as a Western European, I always laugh at how Israel participates in European football competitions (UEFA), Eurovision and other events aimed at Europeans.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

.

Politicos in Amsterdam not able to foresee the need to control their immigrant population nor to prevent rabid Israeli soccer fans from baiting them?

Conflict and bloodshed from foreigners on the streets of Europe?

More of that to come too….

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

maybe they shouldn’t even be there in the first place(?)—a Dutch team playing an Israeli team…—is this the FIFA Club World Cup or something?—as a Western European, I always laugh at how Israel participates in European football competitions (UEFA), Eurovision and other events aimed at Europeans.

Israel, being part of Asia, formerly played in Asia as part of the Asian Football Confederation. Unfortunately a good many Asian clubs/nations refused to play Israel, which resulted in them often winning the Asian Cup by walkover. Plus there were the endless threats against the players.

That's why Israel was forced to join UEFA. It's where they'll remain.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

 it is horrifying to witness antisemitic violence on the streets of Europe once again," it said.

To reasonable people it probably is horrifying to see anti-semitic violence on the streets of Europe,

but what the world is witnessing now is the global re-emergence of extreme right movements and cults led by despots looking for enemies, and for too long in European history and in many other places, Jews have been deemed enemies. By saying this I am not siding with the Israeli government and its supporters that want to destroy Palestinian people. I find what's happening there repulsive, but will not hate Jewish individuals for it .

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

There are also reports on the BBC of Maccabi Haifa fans attacking taxis and burning Palestinian flags in Amsterdam.

It's all over X and other social media. The notorious Maccabi Tel Aviv far right thugs were singing racist songs (I won't print the words but they're disgusting), pulled down Palestinian flags then attacked a taxi and beat up the driver. In the Ajax stadium they chanted and let off fireworks during a minute's silence for the victims of the floods in Valencia. Then to claim they are the victims after locals decided to fight back is just the height of deranged victimhood. These people are the scum of the earth.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Video evidence all over twitter of Israeli football fans tearing flags down from houses, beating muslim taxi drivers, goading local muslims with racist and genocidal chants, not to mention the disgusting lack of respect the showed by chanting through the minute silence for the lives lost in Valencia. I dont condone violence, but when you go out looking for trouble, chances are you find it. The reporting on this issue by legacy media is insanely one-sided. Guess we can expect more and more of this.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I mean, to a certain extent this is not surprising. It's football. (Sorry, that's what we call it where I'm from). Few other sports attract such dregs, regardless of nationality. Monkey noises made towards black players, and so on.

As for the situation in question, reminds me of a song we had to sing at school, which involved repeating the line "when will they ever learn?". Evidently, going by recent global affairs, the answer to that is a clear "probably never".

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The Israeli thugs deserve to be taken to task.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Fighto!

Israel, being part of Asia, formerly played in Asia as part of the Asian Football Confederation. Unfortunately a good many Asian clubs/nations refused to play Israel, which resulted in them often winning the Asian Cup by walkover. Plus there were the endless threats against the players.

That's why Israel was forced to join UEFA. It's where they'll remain.

Huh?

Israel won the Asian Cup just once, in a 4 team format, as hosts in 1964. 11 of the 17 teams eligible to compete for that title withdrew (including Asian powerhouses Japan, Iran, and others like Indonesia and the Philippines. Hong Kong were one of the 4 'finalists'.

The reason the 'left' the AFC is not because they were too good, that's for sure.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

""Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the mayor called "antisemitic hit-and-run squads", and Israel sent planes to the Netherlands to fly fans home.""

WRONG

That is not what the rest of the world is reporting, the fact of the matter as many news agencies are showing on YouTube Israeli Mobs and Thugs attacking people on the streets and climbing buildings to take down Palestinian flags that were put up in support of Gaza.

Before and after the game Israeli soccer fans mixed with thugs attacked Gaza supporters and started chasing them down the streets chanting Death to Arabs, Death to Muslims and so on which angered local Arabs and Muslims and caused them to fight back.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

"" and Israel sent planes to the Netherlands to fly fans home.""

Good take your THUGS back to where they belong.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

What is it about soccer that attracts nationalistic and racist hooligans to its games? It's one of the main reasons why I have zero interest in this sport.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

but what the world is witnessing now is the global re-emergence of extreme right movements

So now that you lost the election by a landslide, anti-semitic pro-Palestine protesters are an extreme right thing. I see....

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

This game should not have been played. Israel should be treated in the same way as apartheid South Africa, with a ban on any sport and music events. Random acts of violence shouldn't be condoned but in this case I fully understand the Dutch fans sending the Israelis home with a message.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

How Hypocrite and Funny at the same time.

These photo's that are shown above are Actually taken from the very same Vids. that are shown all over the world showing Israelis attacking and chasing Local Arabs and Muslims yet the article title reads ""Amsterdam bans protests after 'antisemitic squads' attack Israeli soccer fans"" when it should read ( Amsterdam bans protests after 'antisemitic squads' attack Local Arabs and Muslims.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Good take your THUGS back to where they belong.

It's probably a generation too late to send them back : uncontrolled immigration means those intolerant, anti-Semite thugs they now live in the hundreds of thousands in European cities like Amsterdam.

The very reason far-right parties are being voted in all across Europe - including the Netherlands.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

What is it about soccer that attracts nationalistic and racist hooligans to its games?

It's partly statistical in nature - as football is the most popular sport in the world, the chance of bad apples among the fans increases.

It's also because it's a working class sport, from which various inferences can be made. But that's true of rugby league as well, to an extent, and you don't see much crowd trouble among rugby league fans, so (shrugs).

The only other sport I can think of where I've seen similar behaviour is boxing, and even that's not as frequent. (Boxing fans and/or people with long memories may remember when Marvin Hagler beat UK fighter Alan Minter in London, there was a riot with things being thrown into the ring, and Hagler had to leave under the protection of his team).

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Israel cancelled the planned two planes to fly supporters home.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Chabbawunga

The reporting on this issue by legacy media is insanely one-sided. 

Exactly mate. People aren't stupid, except for the stupid ones.

The veil is up on Israel and people are appalled by what the are doing to the Palestinians - the majority of the reasonable world knows and thinks it's wrong. The Legacy media want to slant the conversation away from this, but people know.

When their citizens then go abroad and behave atrociously and offensively in other people's backyards, they are going to take umbrage, and rightly so. Perhaps they are learning that the hall pass afforded to them by US protection in Israel and Palestine does not extend to the rest of the world.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

The reason the 'left' the AFC is not because they were too good, that's for sure.

The reason Israel left Asian Football was because they were forced to by intolerant Western Asian nations - many of whom refused to play them. (Certainly East Asian nations like Japan had/have no issues whatsoever competing against Israel).

So, in answering rcch's question, that is why Israeli teams compete in Europe.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The real reason for this so call anti-semitic kayos which will not get reported. A group of Israel supporters were in the red light distict and were asking around for 14 - 16 sexworker not understand that is against the law to solicit minors. Where in Teli Viv it is 14 and under. So these Israel supporters were facing a bashing and high tailed it but a few receive a hiding and when the rest of the supporters heard of the bashing started a riot. Any headline now days tagged with Anti-semetic you know straight away its zionist media propaganda.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

It's all over X and other social media. The notorious Maccabi Tel Aviv far right thugs were singing racist songs (I won't print the words but they're disgusting), pulled down Palestinian flags then attacked a taxi and beat up the driver. In the Ajax stadium they chanted and let off fireworks during a minute's silence for the victims of the floods in Valencia. Then to claim they are the victims after locals decided to fight back is just the height of deranged victimhood. These people are the scum of the earth.

Sounds like they are agents provocateur sent to give the authorities an excuse to clamp down on the increasing protests against the Gaza genocide.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The reason Israel left Asian Football was because they were forced to by intolerant Western Asian nations - many of whom refused to play them. 

Yes, that's the symptom, what's the cause?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

If I was the government of Holland, I’d be asking myself: How many of these rioters are deportable?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Exactly mate. People aren't stupid, except for the stupid ones.

The veil is up on Israel and people are appalled by what the are doing to the Palestinians - the majority of the reasonable world knows and thinks it's wrong. The Legacy media want to slant the conversation away from this, but people know.

The sad part is that many people dont care, and many even celebrate it. Humanity has a dark very side. And people wonder how the holocaust could have happened. Look around you.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Israel's thuggish, racist culture goes on tour.

Turns out chanting "There's no schools in Gaza because we killed all kids" during the minute silence for victims of the Spanish floods might upset the locals.

Poor Israelis. Forever the victims.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

You should never blame people for what their government are doing. You have no control over what your government do, and neither do they. So you are not responsible for what your government do, and they are not responsible for what their government are doing.

That goes for Israelis and Russians. However many women and children their governments kill, it is not the fault of their citizens. Guilt lies with those responsible - the governments of those nations.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Video evidence all over twitter of Israeli football fans tearing flags down from houses, beating muslim taxi drivers, goading local muslims with racist and genocidal chants, not to mention the disgusting lack of respect the showed by chanting through the minute silence for the lives lost in Valencia

I saw someone mention that even the Daily Mail, a notoriously rightwing rag, was doing a better job of reporting what exactly went on in Amsterdam than certain outlets.

I’m not denying there is anti-semitism around but articles like this are laughable in selective reporting.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have a well documented hardcore hooligan element. They have form here.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Did they do something to deserve it?

If they did then they deserved it.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I saw someone mention that even the Daily Mail, a notoriously rightwing rag, was doing a better job of reporting what exactly went on in Amsterdam than certain outlets.

Daily Mail has a totally different standard of reporting when it comes to anything related to football

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14053391/Israeli-football-hooligans-Palestine-flags-Ajax-Maccabi-Tel-Aviv.html

1 ( +4 / -3 )

You should never blame people for what their government are doing. You have no control over what your government do, and neither do they. So you are not responsible for what your government do, and they are not responsible for what their government are doing.

Unless its Palestinians, in which case blame them all, am I right?

Besides the point, these Israeli football hooligans went out inciting violence, and they got violence. Nothing more to report.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

And people wonder how the holocaust could have happened. Look around you.

Justifying a reason why the holocaust "could have happened" based on the actions of modern Israel and some Israelis?

That pretty low.

The holocaust happened because of pure, one-sided hatred toward the children, women and men of particular ethnic/religious groups - Jews and others. A deranged belief in racial supremacy. Nothing about it can ever be justified.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Justifying a reason why the holocaust "could have happened" based on the actions of modern Israel and some Israelis?

Dont misinterpret what I said.

As we can see around the world, there is a huge number of people who just do not care if a civilian population is being displaced, extrajudicially imprisoned, starved, maimed, and murdered in the tens of thousands. There is also a large number of people cheering it on.

People question how the holocaust could have happened, how people could have been so evil to have ignored clear crimes against humanity.

Well, look around you. The same thing is happening. Maybe not on the same scale, but its the same thing.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Some Media outlets are reporting that the Israelis REFUSED to stand in a moment of silence to honor the victims of the flooding in Spain, then they started making sounds and noises with drums beating to disrupt the ceremony. Many of the spectators started shouting at them and asked them to leave.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

The holocaust happened because of pure, one-sided hatred toward the children, women and men of particular ethnic/religious groups - Jews and others. A deranged belief in racial supremacy. Nothing about it can ever be justified.

The Holocaust began with gradual steps that escalated over time. Early on, the Nazis used propaganda to spread anti-Semitic ideas and policies that promoted discrimination against Jewish people and other minority groups. Blaming Jews for social and economic issues, passing laws to isolate them.

This is what we are seeing in Europe. But it is not the jews on the receiving end this time, contrary to what you hear in mainstream media.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Anti-Semiticism and Anti-Zionism are not the same thing, mainstream media.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

People question how the holocaust could have happened, how people could have been so evil to have ignored clear crimes against humanity.

Well, look around you. The same thing is happening. Maybe not on the same scale, but its the same thing.

@ Chabbawanga - thanks for clearing that up. I'll put my hand up and say I didn't quite understand your point at first.

I'll agree the mainstream press - the likes of Murdoch - is far from balanced. However there is never any justification for violence against football fans - even if elements of them are grubby. Yes, some of the Maccabi ultras are likely scum.

Sports lovers like myself are sick of violence associated with games. Sport should be a refuge from the violence in the world.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Many of them went looking for trouble - and they found it in abundance. Now their controlled media is running cover.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The soccer hooligans burned Gazan flags in the street.

In Israel, no problem.

In Tokyo, no problem.

In London, a problem.

In Amsterdam, the Israelis found out that it was their problem.

There shouldn’t be any sympathy…

1 ( +5 / -4 )

However there is never any justification for violence against football fans 

There is no justification period.

But you are glossing over the key bit of context, whch is the Israeli football fans went out looking for trouble. They incited violence, they got violence. This seems to be a real problem for Israel to grasp on every level. When you pick on someone, they might fight back.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

15000 Jews live in peace in Amsterdam with no harassment from anyone. A load of Israelis turn up, attack houses with Palestinian flags, are filmed walking around singing "Kill the Arabs" (a hate crime in many countries), disrespect a minutes silence (with more hate songs about Arabs) and it all kicks off. Its pretty obvious what has happened and antisemetism has nothing to do with it.

This is all in a European competition where teams from Russia (which is geographically in Europe) are banned for doing something Israel (which isn't geographically in Europe) is doing in more than one country.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

not sure what's more disgusting. The vermin who carried out the pogram in Amsterdam, or the antisemite scum who support it,

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

A load of Israelis turn up, attack houses with Palestinian flags,

Tourists attacking homes of locals? They're lucky they weren't shot

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I Israelis Jews started the fire,they will not be around to put it out,Jews hooligans started it by attacking Palestinians

4 ( +7 / -3 )

So some residents took the mater into their hands and solve the problem. Zionist will think twice to do the same thing again somewhere else.

Thanks to the ridiculous format of the Champions League, their next match is against Besiktas in Turkey. It is highly likely to kick off again. The Turkey government is superficially opposed to Israel and makes diplomatic noises against it, but supplies it with oil. A big chunk of Israel's energy comes from Azerbaijan on pipelines through Turkey. This balancing act of supporting and not supporting will likely to be more difficult for the Turkish government if their riot police end up being set on locals (including troublemakers) facing up to Israelis (including troublemakers). Accusing others of antisemetism is the Israeli national sport, probably the highest participation rate of any sport in any country, so Israel will openly welcome trouble and may even start it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

As usual there is another version of what really happened. Israeli fans were tearing down Palestinian flags, shouting abuse and attacking "Arab looking" people. The large Muslim population of Amsterdam then set about some street justice. They know the area, had look outs on scooters spotting Israeli fans and then attacked them.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The more of these comments I read, the more I am inclined to support Israel. I suspect I am not alone.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Credit to the mayor of Amsterdam and the King of the Netherlands for recognizing and apologizing for the antisemitic acts by those hooligans, who sadly still infiltrate the communities across Europe.

It is easy to understand why Israel has to take the extreme measures it is taking to defend itself against one of the main sources of antisemitism, located in Gaza and other areas in the Middle East.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

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