Severe riots broke out in Amsterdam during Maccabi Tel Aviv’s away match, prompting the Israeli ambassador to the UN to call it a ‘pogrom’ against Jews. In response, Israel is sending rescue planes for its fans. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the violence and urged Dutch authorities to act. Confrontations between Israeli fans and pro-Palestinian demonstrators led to multiple arrests, with reports of assaults and attempted abduction, highlighting rising anti-Semitic tensions in Europe.
Violence Erupts in Amsterdam During Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Away Game
During the recent away match of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv, Amsterdam witnessed severe riots that escalated into violence. The Israeli ambassador to the UN has labeled these events a ‘pogrom’ against the Jewish community. In response, Israel is dispatching aircraft to ensure the safe evacuation of its fans from the chaotic scene.
Government Response to Disturbing Incidents
Following alarming reports of Israeli fans sustaining injuries amidst the riots, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took immediate action, sending two rescue planes to the Netherlands. His office emphasized that he is treating this distressing situation with utmost seriousness. Netanyahu urged the Dutch government and law enforcement to respond decisively to the rioters and safeguard the well-being of Israeli citizens. However, specific details regarding the emergence of this violent incident have not been disclosed.
The riots erupted around the Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Police reported disturbances at multiple locations across the city center, though they did not specify which group instigated the violence. On Thursday evening, a total of 57 individuals were temporarily detained. Several Israeli lawmakers expressed their outrage over the shocking scenes, claiming that pro-Palestinian assailants were actively targeting Jewish individuals, a claim supported by social media footage that remains unverified. The Dutch police have maintained a cautious stance in their statements regarding the events.
According to police reports, confrontations occurred between fans of the Israeli club and youths supporting pro-Palestinian causes after the match concluded. The Israeli publication ‘Maariw’ indicated there was even an attempted abduction. Dutch police intervened, providing protection to the Israeli fans and escorting them to their accommodations. Eyewitnesses from Amsterdam’s AT5 television channel noted that Maccabi fans were attacked with chairs by pro-Palestinian demonstrators as they made their way back from the stadium.
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon expressed his dismay on social media, stating, “In 2024, a pogrom is taking place in Europe.” Similarly, radical right politician Geert Wilders described the situation as a pursuit of Jews, labeling it a pogrom in Amsterdam’s streets, highlighting the alarming rise in anti-Semitic sentiment.
Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, condemned the violence, stating that targeting Israeli football fans under the guise of anti-war protests is criminal and should be universally opposed. He expressed his shame as a European witnessing such incidents in a major city. Additionally, reports surfaced of a suspected anti-Semitic attack in Berlin targeting a fan of a Jewish-Israeli club just days prior, prompting an investigation by the police’s state protection unit.
In light of the violence in Amsterdam, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged anyone in distress or possessing information about the incidents to reach out to the authorities. Tensions had already begun to flare prior to the match, with clashes reported between Israeli fans and security personnel in the city center, leading to approximately ten arrests for public disturbances and illegal fireworks possession. Confrontations also occurred near the stadium before kickoff, as around 200 demonstrators attempted to breach the venue, despite a city ban on protests directly outside the Johan Cruijff Arena.