This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (November 2024) |
On 7 November 2024, following a football match between AFC Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. during the UEFA Europa League in the city of Amsterdam, Israeli and Jewish football fans and Maccabi supporters were attacked by crowds in what has been described as widespread and coordinated violence, with multiple incidents taking place across the city.[2] The attacks have been prompted by Israeli fans yelling anti-Arab slurs, pulling down Palestinian flags, and attacking an Arab taxi driver.[3][4]
| November 2024 Amsterdam attacks | |
|---|---|
| Part of anti-Jewish violence during the Israel–Hamas war | |
| Location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Date | 7 November 2024 |
Attack type | Assaults, stabbings, vehicle-ramming attacks, harassment |
| Injured | at least 5 |
| Motive | |
62 arrested[1] | |
Some observers and media sources, including Dutch and Israeli officials,[5] described the incidents as a pogrom due to their coordinated nature and the selection of Jews and Israelis as targets.[6][unreliable source?] At first is was said that Israel dispatched rescue planes to evacuate Israeli citizens from the country,[7] but this was later denied.[inconsistent][1]
Background
Tension and violence between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups have increased amid heightened global tensions related to the Israel–Hamas war, resulting in anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli sentiments and violent incidents.
The match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv was a high-profile event in the Europa League, attracting fans from both the local Dutch community and the Israeli community.[citation needed]
Prior to the match, Amsterdam's mayor Femke Halsema had banned pro-Palestinian protests from being held in the immediate vicinity of the Johan Cruyff Arena, with a planned rally being moved a kilometre away from the stadium.[8]Prior to the eruption of violence, the Israeli fans were chanting anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian slurs such as "We’ll fuck the Arabs" and "Fuck you Palestine",[9] indicating the tension prior to the violence eruption.[9][10] A group of Pro-Palestinian protesters had been stopped by riot police while attempting to enter the stadium, and trouble between the protesters and Maccabi fans had been reported ahead of the match, including protesters setting off fireworks, and Maccabi fans tearing down a Palestinian flag,[11] and reportedly attacked an Arab taxi driver.[12][13] the pro-Israeli hooligans of Maccabi tel Aviv team have precedence of attacking individuals carrying Palestinian flag in Athens football match earlier in Mars 2024.[14]
Attacks
After the game, groups reportedly began targeting Israeli fans in various areas of Amsterdam. The attacks included stabbings, vehicle-ramming attacks, and assaults.[15] According to eyewitnesses, some attackers shouted pro-Palestinian slogans, such as "Free Palestine." At least 5 people were injured in the attacks.[1][16]
On 8 November, Dutch police confirmed that they had arrested 62 people in relation to the attacks.[1]
Response
At approximately 4:30 a.m. local time, the Israeli government dispatched two planes to Amsterdam to assist and, if necessary, evacuate Israeli citizens affected by the attacks.[inconsistent][6][7] Israeli and Dutch authorities coordinated efforts to provide medical and logistical support to the victims.
Reactions
Israeli
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks, stating on X: "These are the true faces of the radical terrorism we are fighting. The Western world needs to wake up now!"[17]
Israeli diplomat Danny Danon stated that “We are receiving very disturbing reports of extreme violence against Israelis and Jews on the streets of Holland. There is a pogrom currently taking place in Europe in 2024.”[18]
Dutch
Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof described the attack as "completely unacceptable" and and told Netanyahu that those involved would be tracked down and prosecuted.[5]
Geert Wilders, an anti-islam[19] Dutch politician who leads the right-wing Party for Freedom, wrote that the incident: "looks like a Jew hunt in the streets of Amsterdam... A pogrom in the streets of Amsterdam. We have become the Gaza of Europe. Muslims with Palestinian flags hunting down Jews. I will not accept that. Never."[18]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Schoofs, Stien (8 November 2024). "Israëlische supporters belaagd en bekogeld in Amsterdam: 62 aanhoudingen, Israëlische buitenlandminister naar Nederland" (in Dutch). VRT. Belga. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ Szekeres, Edward (2024-11-08). "Israeli soccer fans attacked in Amsterdam, Israeli and Dutch authorities say". CNN. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ Reporter, Staff. "Israeli hooligans target Palestinian symbols, stirring tension in Amsterdam". Israeli hooligans target Palestinian symbols, stirring tension in Amsterdam. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Israeli hooligans provoke clashes in Amsterdam after chanting anti-Palestinian slogans". Middle East Eye. 8 November 2024. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Violent Attacks in Amsterdam Tied to Antisemitism". The New York Times. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ a b "В Амстердаме прошли массовые еврейские погромы". korrespondent.net.
- ^ a b "Netanyahu sends rescue planes as Israeli fans violently attacked after Amsterdam soccer match". National Post. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Amsterdam bans pro-Palestine protesters from rallying outside Ajax-Maccabi TLV match". The Jerusalem Post. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ a b Video footage shows Israeli soccer fans taunting Arabs in Amsterdam with anti-Palestinian chants. Times of Israel
- ^ https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/151452
- ^ "Israeli football fans attacked in Amsterdam, officials say". BBC News. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Israeli hooligans provoke clashes in Amsterdam after chanting anti-Palestinian slogans". Middle East Eye. 8 November 2024. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ Reporter, Staff. "Israeli hooligans target Palestinian symbols, stirring tension in Amsterdam". Israeli hooligans target Palestinian symbols, stirring tension in Amsterdam. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Pro-Israeli hooligans attack man carrying Palestinian flag in Greek capital". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Pogrom in Amsterdam: Muslim Mob Attacks Israelis After Game". COLlive. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ sports, Ynet (November 8, 2024). "Stabbings, car ramming as Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans violently attacked in Amsterdam after match" – via www.ynetnews.com.
- ^ "Netanyahu calls on Netherlands 'to act decisively and swiftly against the rioters' | The Times of Israel".
- ^ a b "'Pogrom' in Amsterdam: Netanyahu sends planes to save Jews; 10 injured, 3 missing - JNS.org".
- ^ Traynor, Ian (2008-02-17). "'I don't hate Muslims. I hate Islam,' says Holland's rising political star". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2024-11-08.