Amsterdam bans protests for three days following violent attacks on Israeli soccer fans

Amsterdam has imposed a three-day ban on protests following violent clashes between Israeli soccer fans and local perpetrators, which authorities have condemned as antisemitic. The incidents occurred after the Europa League match between Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch club Ajax on Thursday night. Dutch police have launched an investigation into the attacks, which left several people injured.

Amsterdam’s Mayor, Femke Halsema, condemned the violence, describing how criminals on scooters targeted Maccabi supporters in a series of “hit-and-run” attacks across the city. “This is a terrible moment for our city… I am very ashamed of the behavior shown last night,” Halsema said at a Friday news conference. The violence resulted in five Israeli fans requiring hospitalization, though they have since been released, and 20 to 30 others were reported as lightly injured. A total of 63 individuals were arrested, with 10 remaining in custody as of Friday morning.

In response to the unrest, Amsterdam has implemented several security measures, including a ban on demonstrations from Friday to Sunday, as well as a ban on face-covering clothing and the carrying of items that could disturb public order. There will also be a significant police presence in the city. Mayor Halsema emphasized that these measures were necessary to protect not only Israeli soccer supporters but also the city’s Jewish residents, who were specifically targeted in the attacks.

Tensions had been building ahead of the match, with several social media videos showing Maccabi fans chanting anti-Arab slurs and supporting Israeli military actions in Gaza. Other footage showed people tearing Palestinian flags from buildings in Amsterdam. It remains unclear when these videos were filmed, but they contributed to the already charged atmosphere. Following the game, hundreds of Maccabi fans were attacked, with one video showing a man being kicked while on the ground. Another clip appeared to show a person being assaulted by someone yelling “free Palestine.” Although CNN has not been able to verify these videos, they have sparked widespread outrage.

Local authorities confirmed that the atmosphere at the stadium had been calm after Ajax’s 5-0 victory, and the fans had left the venue without incident. However, the violence broke out later that evening, when Maccabi supporters were ambushed in the city center. Halsema was quick to distinguish between protests related to the ongoing Middle East conflict and the attacks on Israeli fans, calling them criminal acts, not political demonstrations. “There can be tensions with protests and demonstrations, but what happened last night was not a protest. It was crime,” she said.

The Israeli embassy to the U.S. condemned the violence, describing the assaults as targeting Israeli fans for being Israeli. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also expressed his shock and shame over the attacks, calling them “terrible” and “horrific.” He stressed that such violence was unacceptable, and confirmed that Dutch authorities were working with Israeli officials to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring him that those responsible would be identified and prosecuted.

Netanyahu condemned the attacks, comparing them to the Kristallnacht of 1938, when Nazi forces violently targeted Jews in Germany. “We have to deal with it,” Netanyahu said, referencing the establishment of the Jewish state and the rise in antisemitic incidents. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, also condemned the attacks as “barbaric” and called for the swift prosecution of those responsible.

The United Nations also weighed in, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing shock at the violence, condemning all forms of antisemitism and bigotry. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned anti-Arab chants by Israeli fans, as well as the attacks on Palestinian symbols, calling for protection of Palestinians in the Netherlands. The Palestine Football Association also criticized Maccabi Tel Aviv fans for inciting violence, accusing them of racism and Islamophobia.

Following the events in Amsterdam, the Israeli government is reviewing security measures for its citizens abroad, particularly for Israeli team sporting events in Europe. This includes enhancing cooperation with local authorities to ensure the safety of fans and players. As a result of the violence in Amsterdam, some have called for the relocation of next week’s match between the French and Israeli national soccer teams, citing concerns about further disturbances.

The Amsterdam attacks have sparked international condemnation and highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as the vulnerability of individuals based on their nationality or religious identity. The situation remains fluid, and authorities continue to investigate the attacks while working to ensure the safety of all citizens and visitors in the city.