Recap: Everything That Unfolded in Amsterdam as Israeli Football Fans Clashed with Locals
Amsterdam (Quds News Network)– Dutch police arrested 62 people and reported injuries to five others following clashes started by fans of the Israeli football team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, in Amsterdam. The incidents occurred after fans of the visiting team instigated chaos by chanting anti-Arab slogans and celebrating the deaths in Gaza and Spain, prompting locals to retaliate.
Israeli Fans Spark Violence and Arrests
The clashes unfolded on Thursday night, shortly after a Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Videos circulating on social media show Israeli fans chanting slogans inciting violence against Arabs and Muslims and celebrating the ongoing genocide in Gaza. A video footage also shows Israeli fans chanting hate slogans during a moment of silence dedicated to the people killed in the recent disastrous floods in Spain.
Eyewitnesses reported that Maccabi supporters had attacked Muslim residents and vandalized property two days before the retaliation, triggering street confrontations with locals.
According to a joint statement from Amsterdam’s police, city officials, and the public prosecutor’s office, the post-match night was “extremely turbulent.” The statement confirmed that police intervened to protect the Israeli fans, escorting them to hotels.
Israel Arranges Evacuation as Tensions Soar
Following the incident, Israel dispatched flights to evacuate the estimated 2,700 fans who traveled to the Dutch capital for the game. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks, describing them as “severe antisemitic assaults.” Netanyahu called the Dutch government to take swift action and to enhance protection for what he described as “the local Jewish community”.
“The brutal images of assaults on our citizens in Amsterdam will not go unnoticed,” Netanyahu threatened in a statement, adding that Israel is prepared for potential escalations as more Israeli teams play in European cities in the coming weeks.
Dutch Authorities and International Reactions
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed his shock at the incidents, labeling them as “unacceptable antisemitic attacks”, ignoring the fact that they were ignited by Israeli fans. He assured Netanyahu that the Dutch government is committed to identifying and prosecuting the locals.
The confrontations occurred despite a ban imposed by Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema on pro-Palestinian demonstrations near the Johan Cruyff Arena, where the match was held. Authorities feared the protests could lead to clashes between demonstrators and Maccabi fans. However, Israeli fans started to attack fans of the Ajax Amsterdam team.
The United Nations and the European Union have also weighed in on the incident. A spokesperson for the UN Office of Human Rights expressed concern over the violence, stressing that “no one should be subjected to violence based on their ethnicity, religion, or nationality.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks as “despicable” and reiterated that there is no place for what she called ‘antisemitism’ in Europe.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Tensions
Local residents in Amsterdam described the atmosphere as tense in the days leading up to the match. One eyewitness said, “The Zionists of Maccabi were terrorizing our streets yesterday. They attacked Muslim homes and taxi drivers, and now they are playing the victim.”
I live in Amsterdam. The Zionists of Macabi were terrorizing our streets yesterday. They attacked muslim homes, muslim taxi drivers. These video’s went viral in Amsterdam and 1 day later young muslim people took revenge against these hooligans and now they are playing victim
— ISHOWSUI (@SenpaiTheories) November 8, 2024
Dutch media also reported that Mossad agents were accompanying Maccabi fans to provide ‘additional security’ during their stay in Amsterdam. The presence of these agents and the confrontational behavior of some fans reportedly exacerbated tensions with local communities.
Following the Amsterdam incident, Israel’s National Security Council issued warnings advising Israeli citizens to avoid attending upcoming matches involving Israeli teams in Europe, particularly in Italy, where similar incidents could potentially occur.
As authorities in both the Netherlands and the occupation state continue investigations, Amsterdam braces for potential aftershocks, with heightened security measures planned for the coming days.
