Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recent antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam, labeling them as the worst such pogrom in Europe in the 21st century. He emphasized the dangerous connection between legal assaults against Israel and violent attacks on Israeli citizens, denouncing the incidents as attempts to render Jews and their state defenseless. Netanyahu called on all responsible governments to take urgent action against such attacks, warning that they pose a threat not only to Israel but to the entire world.
The violent antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam targeted Israeli soccer fans, prompting criticism of Dutch authorities for their failure to arrest the perpetrators. Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, lambasted Amsterdam police for not taking action during the attacks, leading to further calls for the city’s left-wing mayor Femke Halsema to resign. Halsema described the violence as an eruption of antisemitism that had not been seen in Amsterdam for years, with some drawing parallels to the city’s history during World War Two, when Anne Frank was abandoned to the Nazis by Nazi collaborators in the city.
Detailed accounts of the attacks have emerged, with reports of organized efforts to harm Israeli citizens. Amid the chaos, Israeli citizens sought refuge in the Holland Casino, only to discover that a security guard working for the casino had sent messages in an app group seeking to harm the Israelis. Despite this, Rabbi and volunteers from the Chabad House in Amsterdam, along with an Israeli Druze man, played crucial roles in aiding the victims and ensuring their safety. The Israeli Druze man, Melchem Assad, provided vital warnings to Israelis about the ongoing violence, helping them avoid potential harm.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands expressed regret over the attacks, acknowledging the failure to protect the Jewish community in Amsterdam during World War Two and in more recent incidents. The demographics of Amsterdam show a significant Jewish population, with a history that includes thriving Jewish communities before the Holocaust. Amidst growing concerns about the Islamization of Dutch police forces and their alleged failure to protect Jewish institutions, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing antisemitic violence. Critics have noted the reluctance to attribute the attacks to Muslim perpetrators, with references to the perpetrators as “scooter youths” instead of acknowledging their origins.
The events in Amsterdam have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for action to address rising antisemitic sentiments and violence. Israeli leaders have called for urgent measures to combat such attacks, emphasizing the need for strong responses from governments around the world. The incidents in Amsterdam have highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish communities in Europe and the need for increased vigilance to protect against antisemitism. Efforts to assist and protect those targeted by such attacks continue, with volunteers and community members working together to ensure the safety of those under threat.
