Violence Erupts Against Israeli Soccer Fans in Amsterdam

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Facts

  • Israel on Friday sent two planes to bring back Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club fans from Amsterdam after they faced "antisemitic attacks" in several parts of the city on Thursday night.[1][2][3][4]
  • According to Dutch police, many Israeli supporters were beaten and injured in hit-and-run attacks, with five people hospitalized. Video clips appeared to show people being chased and kicked; a car was also seen hitting passers-by at high speed.[3][4][5]
  • The violence followed Maccabi's Europa League match against Ajax, which the latter won 5-0. While, according to police, the atmosphere in the stadium was relatively calm, there had been tensions between Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters ahead of the match, with the former accused of chanting racist anti-Arab slogans, attacking a taxi, and setting a Palestinian flag on fire.[6][7][8]
  • Videos also appeared to show Maccabi fans jeering and whistling during a minute of silence for the Spanish flood victims. The assailants in Thursday's attack were reportedly chanting "Free Palestine" and hurling insults in Arabic. Israel's military has said its Home Front Command-led "rescue mission" will include medical teams.[9][10]
  • Thursday's violence was widely condemned, including by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and US Pres. Joe Biden.[11][12]
  • Israelli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he "views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity" and demanded "vigorous and swift action" against those involved. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to the Netherlands on Friday to meet with his Dutch counterpart.[2][13]

Sources: [1]DW, [2]Al Jazeera, [3]Independent, [4]POLITICO, [5]BBC News (a), [6]CNN, [7]BBC News (b), [8]The Times of Israel (a), [9]Haaretz, [10]Reuters, [11]Associated Press, [12]The Times of Israel (b) and [13]The New York Times

Narratives

  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The Jerusalem Post and Fathom. For Israelis, the Israeli diaspora, and the Jewish community, the Amsterdam pogrom paints a bleak picture of the escalating dangers worldwide — emphasizing a resurgence of antisemitism. Often concealed as anti-Zionism, this hatred fuels disruptions, attacks, and a climate of rising hostility. Members of the Jewish community are increasingly marginalized, excluded, and subjected to intimidation and violence, often with state sponsorship. Urgent action is needed to confront this.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by The New York Times and Al Jazeera. Israeli provocation is heightening risks for Jewish and Israeli communities worldwide, as recent violence in Amsterdam tragically demonstrates. Israel's aggressive policies under Netanyahu — especially in Gaza and the West Bank — have stirred resentment, reducing global sympathy despite valid security concerns. Actions by some Israeli supporters abroad feed this backlash — increasing anti-Israeli sentiments and tensions. The resulting insecurity endangers Jewish and Israeli lives globally as Palestinians continue to suffer.