A night of soccer turned into chaos when roving gangs on scooters targeted Israeli fans in Amsterdam's streets.
According to NBC News, supporters of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team were chased down and assaulted Thursday night in what Dutch authorities described as antisemitic violence near Amsterdam's central station.
The incident unfolded after a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, with videos showing violent confrontations between Israeli fans and their attackers. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema confirmed that individuals on scooters deliberately searched for Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters throughout the city. The violence resulted in five people requiring hospital care, while 20 to 30 others sustained minor injuries, leading to at least 62 arrests.
Iddo Gold, a 23-year-old fan, described the harrowing experience of being ambushed upon arriving at Amsterdam's city center after the game. The attackers, some allegedly armed with knives, pursued fans on motorbikes, forcing them to seek refuge in their hotels. Many remained too frightened to venture outside even after dawn broke.
Tevel Caro, an 18-year-old Israeli fan, found himself sheltering in a safe house with dozens of other Israelis, expressing disappointment over the lack of military aircraft deployment for their evacuation. The situation was particularly poignant for Caro, who is scheduled to begin his mandatory Israeli military service in two weeks.
The violence appeared to stem from broader tensions related to the Gaza conflict rather than traditional soccer rivalry, despite Ajax's historical connection to Amsterdam's Jewish community. Police had anticipated potential conflicts and deployed hundreds of additional officers as a precautionary measure.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema condemned the violence, stating:
Yesterday there was an outburst of antisemitism such as we had hoped to see no more in Amsterdam. I express the strongest condemnation of the violence that has taken place. Among our Jewish Amsterdam residents there is fear, dismay, anger, disbelief.
The city implemented emergency measures, including a three-day ban on demonstrations. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof engaged in direct communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the commitment to identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.
European leaders joined in condemning the attacks, with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock describing the images as horrific and deeply shameful for Europe. The Dutch King Willem-Alexander discussed the incident with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, emphasizing that Jewish people must feel safe in the Netherlands.
UEFA issued a strong condemnation of the violence on Friday, pledging to examine all official reports and evaluate appropriate courses of action. The incident has raised concerns about upcoming sporting events, particularly as Israel's national team is scheduled to play against France in Paris on November 14.
The violence occurred against the backdrop of widespread protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Similar demonstrations have affected sporting events across Europe, including a recent incident at a Paris Saint Germain game where protesters displayed a large "Free Palestine" banner.
The attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Amsterdam marked a disturbing escalation of tensions, resulting in multiple injuries and dozens of arrests. The incident began when scooter-mounted assailants targeted Israeli soccer fans following a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, leading to violent confrontations near Amsterdam's central station.
As Dutch authorities implement emergency measures and conduct investigations, the international community has responded with widespread condemnation. The incident has prompted increased security considerations for upcoming sporting events and raised concerns about the safety of Jewish communities in European cities, with both local and international leaders calling for swift action against the perpetrators.
