On the evening of November 7, 2024, following a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, Israeli football fans in Amsterdam found themselves the targets of what can only be described as an orchestrated campaign of antisemitic violence. Masked gangs hunted down these supporters across the city, chanting “Free Palestine” as they cornered, assaulted, and harassed Israelis wherever they could find them. Dutch police forces, despite their visible presence, appeared woefully inadequate in the face of this mob mentality.
Casualties and Immediate Impact
The consequences were swift and brutal: at least ten Israelis were injured, three remain unaccounted for, and hundreds more were left confined to their hotels, fearing further violence if they dared to leave. Amsterdam’s police, acknowledging their struggle to contain this outburst of antisemitism, found themselves escorting groups of Israeli fans to safety wherever possible. The Dutch authorities are now grappling with the magnitude of this violent episode, announcing an investigation alongside additional police patrols, particularly around Jewish institutions within the city.
Official Responses and Diplomatic Reaction
Both Israeli and Dutch leaders swiftly condemned these disgraceful scenes, branding them for what they were: unprovoked antisemitic attacks directed at Israeli citizens. Initially, Israel considered deploying military aircraft to evacuate its citizens from Amsterdam but subsequently decided to back civil aviation efforts to bring its people home. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, working closely with Dutch officials, advised all Israeli nationals to stay put in their hotels until authorities could guarantee their safety. Extra police units have since been deployed, especially around Jewish community sites, to address security concerns in the days following the attacks.
Tensions and Escalation
Amidst the general pandemonium, videos emerged on social media indicating heightened tensions on both sides. While Israeli supporters largely bore the brunt of the violence, isolated incidents showed a small number of Israeli fans engaging in provocative chants against Arabs and Palestinians earlier in the day. Pro-Palestinian activists predictably seized upon these moments, alleging that Israeli fans had instigated the hostilities. This tit-for-tat of blame, however, does nothing to obscure the organised nature of the attacks carried out against Israelis across Amsterdam that night.
Police Response and Public Safety Measures
In response to this grotesque eruption of hatred, Amsterdam’s police arrested 62 individuals connected to the unrest. Riot police were stationed at key sites, including the Johan Cruyff Arena, to prevent further escalations. In one notable incident, a Palestinian flag was reportedly torn down from a building, adding another layer of tension between pro-Palestinian activists and Israeli supporters. Law enforcement officials decried the violence against Israeli fans as “unacceptable,” promising to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this shameful episode.
WBII’s Position and the Wider Implications
This incident is emblematic of a disturbing trend: antisemitic incidents on the rise across Europe, with those bearing the Star of David increasingly facing hostility and violence. It underscores the need for robust security measures for Israelis and Jews abroad, as well as a serious re-evaluation of public safety protocols in Europe’s major cities. WBII regards this particular incident with the gravest concern, seeing it as symptomatic of a much larger malaise—a European society still shockingly susceptible to the kind of raw, hate-filled antisemitism that one might have thought confined to the history books.
As this incident painfully illustrates, there is no place in any civilised society for such brazen acts of hatred. The Netherlands, like the rest of Europe, must not allow this kind of barbarism to fester under the guise of political protest. WBII will continue to monitor these events closely, lending our voice to the chorus that demands accountability and insisting upon protections for all at risk. This is not merely about the safety of Israeli football fans; it is about the foundational principles of security, dignity, and decency that must be upheld in any society worth the name.
