Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested increased security for Israelis in the Netherlands following an attack on fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC by anti-Israel protesters in Amsterdam. The violence occurred after a UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, resulting in 20 to 30 injuries and 62 arrests. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema called the violence a resurgence of antisemitism that is concerning, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog labeled it as the most alarming incident since 2023 attacks by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel. Netanyahu urged Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to enhance security for Israelis in the country and additional phone lines were added at the embassy and Foreign Ministry’s situation room.
The series of attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam is being investigated as a premeditated act of antisemitism, with reports of supporters of the Israeli football club chanting anti-Arab slogans before the game. Videos circulating on social media show fights breaking out outside the stadium where Maccabi Tel Aviv FC was playing Ajax. Amsterdam Police have initiated a major investigation into the violent incidents and declared the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted. Israeli air carrier El Al is aiding in the evacuation of Israelis from Amsterdam, and Netanyahu has expressed his concern over the attacks and praised the response of Israeli officials.
In response to the violence, Geert Wilders, a Dutch political leader from the anti-Muslim immigration Freedom Party, called the attacks on Israeli citizens in Amsterdam unacceptable and compared the situation to becoming the “Gaza of Europe.” The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the anti-Arab slogans and hostile actions carried out by supporters of the Israeli football club in Amsterdam, stating that they included the desecration and removal of the Palestinian flag from symbolic sites representing solidarity with Palestinian rights and resistance. Israeli soccer fans, including Maccabi supporters, have been targeted in a wave of violence, prompting heightened security measures and evacuations.
Israeli fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC were subjected to physical assault and intimidation by anti-Israel protesters in Amsterdam, leading to injuries, hospitalizations, and arrests. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to address the escalating situation and ensure the safety of Israelis in the country. Netanyahu labeled the attacks as premeditated and urged for enhanced security measures, while also expressing concern over the antisemitic nature of the violence. The Israeli government has reinforced communication channels and support services for Israelis affected by the attacks, with increased attention on the safety and well-being of individuals targeted in Amsterdam.
The unprovoked attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam have sparked outrage and concern, with Israeli officials condemning the incidents as alarming displays of antisemitism. Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized the gravity of the attacks, likening them to a serious incident reminiscent of previous acts of violence in Israel. Notably, reports have indicated that some fans were chanting anti-Arab slogans prior to the game, intensifying tensions and contributing to the volatile atmosphere surrounding the match. As the investigations continue and the perpetrators are pursued, both Israeli and Dutch authorities are working to address the security implications and root causes of the violence that unfolded in Amsterdam, highlighting the need for broader societal awareness and protection against hate-motivated attacks.
