Rioters in Amsterdam targeted Israeli fans in ‘explosion of antisemitism’

The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, has condemned a wave of violence against Israeli football fans in the city, calling it an “explosion of antisemitism.” The incident, which unfolded on Thursday night, saw local rioters targeting supporters of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Halsema described how groups of youths on scooters roamed Amsterdam, launching violent attacks on Israeli fans in a “hit-and-run” manner. At least five fans were hospitalized, with around 30 others suffering minor injuries. Police confirmed the arrest of 62 individuals, including 10 men and two minors who remained in custody as of Friday.

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been in Amsterdam to attend a Europa League match against Ajax, which passed off without incident. However, the situation deteriorated after the game. Halsema denounced the rioters, stating, “Antisemitic, hateful rioters and criminals yesterday and last night have attacked Jewish visitors to our city. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, both here and in Israel.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed his horror over the attacks while attending an EU summit. He confirmed that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reassured the public that the perpetrators would be swiftly tracked down and prosecuted.

The violence occurred just before the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the infamous Nazi pogrom against Jews in Germany in November 1938, which further intensified the shock and disbelief that such antisemitism could occur in Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ national coordinator for combating antisemitism remarked that the events represented a clear crossing of a line, and condemned the readiness to engage in such violent acts.

Leading up to the match, tensions had already been high, with clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and Maccabi fans in Dam Square. There were reports of fireworks being set off and a Palestinian flag being torn down, while some videos surfaced showing Maccabi fans chanting anti-Arab slogans. However, these tensions did not escalate during the match itself, which saw Ajax defeat Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0.

The violence erupted soon after the match, when Maccabi fans were attacked while walking from the Johan Cruyff Arena to central Amsterdam. According to the mayor, they were “attacked, abused, and pelted with fireworks” during their walk. Initially, it was unclear who was responsible for the riots, but Halsema later identified youths on scooters as the main perpetrators. She refrained from commenting on the ethnic backgrounds of those involved, noting that it was part of an ongoing investigation.

Videos circulating on social media depicted disturbing scenes of violence, including one showing a man being kicked and beaten while on the ground, and another showing someone being run over by a vehicle. In some clips, pro-Palestinian slogans were heard, though the authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified.

Asked whether the attacks were provoked by the tearing down of the Palestinian flag, Halsema emphasized that the violence had nothing to do with the broader Middle East conflict. “What happened in the center of my city is a crime,” she said. “It is deeply shameful.”

The mayor expressed her shock and disgust at the level of hatred, revealing that on Telegram messaging groups, some individuals had openly discussed hunting down Jews. “It’s so terrible I can’t find the words for it,” she added.

Police chief Peter Holla also expressed his dismay, stating that he had been deeply shocked by the events, despite preparations being made for such incidents. It was also confirmed that some taxi drivers had been involved in the attacks, with reports indicating that they had “moved in groups and cornered their targets.” However, Amsterdam’s largest taxi company denied any involvement.

In response to the violence, Israeli airline El Al arranged two “rescue flights” to bring Israeli passengers back to their home country. Earlier, Israel had canceled plans to send military planes to evacuate its citizens.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attacks as a “pogrom” against Maccabi fans and Israelis in general. He voiced confidence that Dutch authorities would act swiftly to “protect, locate, and rescue all Israelis and Jews under attack.”

Geert Wilders, the leader of the largest party in the Dutch parliament, also labeled the violence a pogrom, accusing authorities of failing to protect Israeli citizens. He demanded accountability from the government for its response to the crisis.

The violence in Amsterdam serves as a stark reminder of the persistence of antisemitism and the need for swift and decisive action to protect Jewish communities worldwide.