Women’s health has, for too long, been relegated to the margins of medical innovation. Decades of inertia have left many essential technologies virtually unchanged, perpetuating systemic neglect of a vital sector. This stagnation is finally being challenged by groundbreaking advancements such as those led by OCON Therapeutics, an Israeli-founded company at the forefront of women’s health technology.

At the centre of OCON’s trailblazing work is its patented intrauterine drug delivery platform—a spherical, three-dimensional device poised to transform how uterine conditions are treated. This novel technology not only addresses unmet medical needs but also heralds a new chapter in how we approach women’s healthcare globally.

Daniela Schardinger, VP of Marketing & Medical Affairs at OCON Therapeutics, aptly notes, “The technologies available in women’s health today are 60 years old.” From T-shaped IUDs to traditional diagnostic tools like ultrasounds, the sector has relied on antiquated methods that fail to meet modern healthcare standards.

OCON’s intrauterine platform represents a paradigm shift. At its core is a dynamic, spherical stent made up of interconnected titanium balls. Once inserted, the device adapts seamlessly to the unique contours of the uterus. Its design enables it to carry and deliver a range of therapeutics—including hormones, drugs, and other treatments—directly to the target area.

Keren Leshem, CEO of OCON Therapeutics, in several interviews has emphasised the adaptability of the device: “Our device not only transforms into a ball once inside the uterus, but the therapeutics on it adapt themselves to the specific condition being treated.” This ability to address a wide spectrum of uterine conditions—from contraception to complex diseases—makes OCON’s technology a versatile and game-changing solution.

The flagship product of OCON’s platform, the IUB Ballerine, is a non-hormonal copper contraceptive that has already garnered attention for its innovative approach. Unlike traditional IUDs, the Ballerine conforms to the uterus’s natural shape, enhancing comfort and safety while maintaining contraceptive efficacy.

However, the platform’s potential extends far beyond contraception. The spherical stent can deliver targeted therapies for a range of uterine health issues, such as endometriosis, fibroids, and even certain cancers. It is flexible in its application, capable of remaining in place for durations ranging from 30 minutes to five years, depending on the therapeutic goal.

This adaptability allows for personalised treatment plans that cater to individual needs, minimising side effects and optimising outcomes. Such precision medicine represents the future of healthcare, moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions to more nuanced, patient-centred care.

Israel’s reputation as a global hub for innovation is well-earned. With its dynamic ecosystem of start-ups, cutting-edge research institutions, and a culture of entrepreneurial resilience, the country consistently punches above its weight in the global medical technology arena.

OCON Therapeutics exemplifies this spirit. The company’s intrauterine platform not only addresses long-ignored gaps in women’s health but also showcases Israel’s ability to leverage advanced engineering and medical expertise to create transformative solutions. By tackling systemic challenges with ingenuity, OCON is setting a benchmark for medical advancements that prioritise both practicality and impact.

The science behind OCON’s device is rooted in the principles of stent technology, widely used in cardiovascular medicine. This crossover into women’s health illustrates the potential of applying existing technologies to neglected sectors. The use of titanium, a biocompatible material, ensures durability and minimises the risk of adverse reactions, making it a highly reliable solution for long-term use.

OCON’s stent also opens new avenues for drug delivery systems. By concentrating treatments directly at the source, the platform minimises systemic exposure, reducing side effects and improving efficacy. This precision aligns with the broader trend of targeted therapies in modern medicine, further underscoring the device’s revolutionary nature.

OCON Therapeutics’ innovation sheds light on the broader issue of equity in medical research and development. Women’s health, historically underfunded and under-prioritised, has suffered from a lack of investment in research and technology. OCON’s work challenges this paradigm, demonstrating the profound impact that focused innovation can have on improving quality of life.

By addressing conditions often sidelined in the broader healthcare narrative, OCON is not only improving individual outcomes but also influencing how women’s health is perceived and prioritised globally. Its technology has the potential to reduce healthcare disparities and set a precedent for other companies to follow suit.

The advancements pioneered by OCON Therapeutics represent more than just technological innovation—they symbolise a commitment to redefining how women’s health is valued and addressed. As the intrauterine platform gains traction in clinics and hospitals worldwide, it is clear that the future of women’s health is no longer constrained by outdated technologies and systemic neglect.

By fostering a culture of innovation and prioritising underserved sectors, Israel continues to serve as a model for how nations can lead in tackling global healthcare challenges. OCON’s success is a testament to what is possible when ingenuity, investment, and purpose converge. Let this be a rallying call for greater focus on women’s health—a vital area that impacts not just individuals, but the well-being of societies as a whole.

At We Believe in Israel, we champion stories of innovation and progress that demonstrate the positive global impact of Israeli ingenuity. OCON Therapeutics’ pioneering work is a testament to the power of determination and creativity in solving critical challenges. Let us continue to celebrate and support advancements that shape a better future for all.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) presents a critical yet under-examined element in the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While it was established in 1949 to provide temporary relief for Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, UNRWA has evolved into an entity that perpetuates, rather than resolves, the refugee issue. Its continued operations raise significant questions about the agency’s alignment with international legal norms, the Oslo Accords, and its impact on the geopolitical landscape.

At the heart of UNRWA’s controversy lies its unprecedented definition of Palestinian refugeehood. Unlike the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which operates under a mandate to provide durable solutions for refugees through repatriation, resettlement, or local integration, UNRWA uniquely permits refugee status to be inherited indefinitely. According to UNRWA’s own records, the initial population of 750,000 refugees in 1948 has expanded to over 5 million today—a nearly sevenfold increase. This exponential growth contrasts starkly with other global refugee populations, where numbers typically decline due to resettlement and integration initiatives.

Several studies by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA), highlight that this hereditary definition not only violates UNHCR norms but also obstructs any realistic resolution of the refugee crisis. By perpetuating a narrative of grievance and victimhood, UNRWA has institutionalised a cycle of dependency, effectively ensuring that generations of Palestinians remain refugees in perpetuity.

The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993, represented a pivotal moment in Israeli-Palestinian relations, aiming to lay the groundwork for mutual recognition and eventual peace. A critical component of Oslo was the transfer of governance responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority (PA), including education, healthcare, and social services within Palestinian territories. This decentralisation was intended to build Palestinian self-reliance, reduce dependency on international aid, and prepare the PA for eventual statehood.

However, UNRWA’s operations have actively undermined this framework. By maintaining control over refugee camps and running parallel systems for education and healthcare, UNRWA has created enclaves of influence that bypass PA governance. A 2021 study by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) underscores that these camps often function as autonomous zones, fostering radicalisation and limiting the PA’s capacity to assert authority.

Moreover, UNRWA’s educational curriculum, documented extensively by organisations such as IMPACT-se, has been found to include antisemitic and anti-Israeli content. This directly contravenes Oslo’s emphasis on fostering coexistence and peace. Textbooks used in UNRWA schools frequently glorify violence and deny Israel’s right to exist, effectively indoctrinating a new generation into a cycle of hostility.

The financial operations of UNRWA further complicate its legitimacy. Historically, Western nations have borne the overwhelming burden of funding the organisation. By 1972, six Western countries had contributed $735 million to UNRWA, while the combined contributions of five wealthy Arab states amounted to just $8.5 million—barely 1% of the total. Today, the trend persists. A 2022 Congressional Research Service report noted that the United States remains UNRWA’s largest single donor, contributing approximately 30% of its $1.6 billion annual budget. In contrast, Arab states collectively account for a fraction of the funding.

This disparity raises significant ethical and practical concerns. UNRWA allocates approximately $298 per Palestinian refugee annually, compared to $2.80 per refugee in Sudan under UNHCR. This inequity not only diverts critical resources from more urgent global crises but also reinforces perceptions of a politicised agenda.

The intersection of UNRWA’s operations with terrorism is also a growing concern. Reports have revealed that UNRWA facilities, including schools and hospitals, have been used by Hamas to store weapons and ammunition. Moreover, documented instances of UNRWA employees actively participating in terrorist activities underscore systemic vulnerabilities within the organisation.

UNRWA’s operational framework, far from alleviating the plight of Palestinian refugees, has entrenched a system of dependency, radicalisation, and conflict. By deviating from international norms and undermining the Oslo Accords, the agency perpetuates the very crisis it was established to resolve. Without meaningful reform, UNRWA will continue to serve as a barrier to peace, rather than a bridge toward resolution. Policymakers must confront these realities and recalibrate their approach, ensuring that international aid serves the cause of stability and coexistence rather than perpetuating division and hostility.

Israel's remarkable ascent as a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI) is more than a headline—it is a case study in resilience, strategic investment, and forward-thinking policy. A recent report places Israel firmly among the elite nations pioneering AI research, development, and application, reinforcing its reputation as a nation defined by ingenuity and problem-solving. For countries looking to foster their own innovation ecosystems, Israel’s experience offers valuable lessons in harnessing technology to drive economic growth, tackle societal challenges, and build global influence.

With over 3,500 AI startups and an impressive $9.2 billion in funding raised in 2022 alone, Israel’s AI sector demonstrates the country’s ability to channel creativity and entrepreneurship into transformative industries. Israeli advancements are shaping sectors as diverse as personalised medicine, autonomous vehicles, agriculture, and cybersecurity. These are not theoretical breakthroughs—they are practical innovations addressing real-world challenges, from improving healthcare systems to enhancing food security and mitigating cyber risks.

What sets Israel apart is its ability to convert cutting-edge research into impactful applications. This is a nation where academic excellence meets entrepreneurial ambition, creating technologies that are as commercially viable as they are revolutionary.

The Foundations of Israel’s Success

Israel’s extraordinary journey to becoming a global innovation hub is underpinned by a set of mutually reinforcing factors:

1. World-Class Education and Research
   Israel has prioritised education as a cornerstone of its national strategy, with institutions such as the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the Hebrew University producing world-leading talent in AI and STEM fields. These centres of excellence not only fuel the local economy but also position Israel as an indispensable partner in global technological development.
2. A Resilient and Entrepreneurial Culture
   Faced with geopolitical challenges, Israel has cultivated a culture of resilience and adaptability. Its mandatory military service, especially within elite technology units like Unit 8200, equips young Israelis with advanced technical skills and a problem-solving mindset that permeates its startup ecosystem.
3. Proactive Government Policy
   The Israeli government has played a pivotal role in enabling innovation through initiatives such as the Israel Innovation Authority, which provides funding, infrastructure, and policy support for startups and research initiatives. Strategic tax incentives and the creation of innovation hubs have helped transform Israel into a global destination for investment in technology.
4. Collaborative Ecosystem
   The seamless integration of public, private, and academic sectors has created an environment where innovation thrives. Startups benefit from partnerships with universities and multinational corporations, ensuring that research is rapidly commercialised to meet both local and global needs.

Lessons for the International Community

Israel’s journey offers a roadmap for nations aspiring to build their own innovation ecosystems. It demonstrates that fostering a culture of creativity, investing in education, and encouraging collaboration across sectors can deliver transformative economic and societal benefits. Importantly, Israel’s model highlights the necessity of combining technical excellence with ethical responsibility, particularly in fields like AI where misuse poses significant risks.

As governments and organisations around the world grapple with challenges ranging from climate change to economic inequality, Israel's experience underscores the value of technological innovation as a force for good. Its AI advancements in areas like medical diagnostics and environmental sustainability are not only commercially successful but also geared towards addressing some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Israel’s role as a global leader in innovation is not merely a national success story—it is a beacon of what is possible when determination, talent, and strategic vision converge. From its emergence as a startup nation to its current position as an AI leader, Israel exemplifies the potential of technology to reshape economies and societies for the better.

For policymakers, the lesson is clear: the right mix of investment in talent, infrastructure, and collaborative networks can catalyse transformative change. Israel has shown that innovation is not the privilege of a few but the potential of any nation willing to embrace ambition and build for the future. This is a journey worth emulating—a model for creating not just technologies, but opportunities that can shape the world for generations to come.

Reports that senior Hamas officials expelled from Qatar have found refuge in Turkey ought to send a shiver down the spine of anyone concerned with the principles of justice and peace. This troubling development not only underscores Turkey’s willingness to act as a haven for terrorism-linked figures but also casts a long shadow over its standing as a member of NATO and an ostensible ally of the West.

Last week, Qatar, often criticised for its own murky ties to Hamas, expelled several of the group’s senior officials in what many saw as a long-overdue gesture of accountability. These individuals were directly associated with the organisation that orchestrated the October 7 atrocities—a day now seared into the memory of Israelis and the wider world. Yet, no sooner were they shown the door in Doha than they found an open one in Ankara.

This is no minor diplomatic embarrassment. Hamas is not simply another Middle Eastern faction jockeying for influence. It is a designated terrorist organisation in the United States, the European Union, and beyond, whose stated aim includes the destruction of the state of Israel. Its leaders have gloried in the horrors of October 7, boasting of the murder, rape, and abduction of innocents as though such barbarity were a badge of honour. For Turkey to host these figures now, after their actions have shocked even Hamas’s usual apologists, is a calculated affront to international norms.

Turkey’s relationship with Hamas has been a source of quiet alarm for years. Ankara has provided financial support, logistical assistance, and safe havens for operatives linked to the group. But this latest move—offering sanctuary to officials expelled in disgrace—crosses a line. It is not merely a show of solidarity with Hamas’s cause; it is a blatant signal that Turkey’s government sees no issue in aligning itself with those who unapologetically target civilians.

This creates profound implications for Turkey’s role in NATO. The alliance, built on a foundation of shared values, now faces the awkward reality of a member openly hosting terrorist leaders. While Turkey continues to demand the privileges of NATO membership, its actions increasingly undermine the alliance’s moral credibility and strategic coherence.

Moreover, this decision threatens to destabilise not only the region but also Turkey itself. Many within Turkish society are deeply uneasy with their government’s growing authoritarianism and foreign policy entanglements. Providing cover for Hamas is not only an affront to Turkey’s citizens but also a risk to its internal cohesion.

The international community must respond with more than murmurs of disapproval. NATO cannot continue to look the other way while one of its members actively undermines its principles. Diplomatic pressure, economic consequences, and perhaps even a reevaluation of Turkey’s role in the alliance must all be on the table. The West has been far too accommodating of Ankara’s duplicity for far too long.

At its core, this is not just a question of strategy or alliances—it is a matter of morality. To host the leaders of an organisation that revels in the murder of women, children, and the elderly is to make a mockery of every value that the civilised world claims to uphold. If we fail to hold Turkey accountable for such actions, we allow the principles of justice, decency, and the sanctity of human life to be trampled underfoot.

Turkey’s embrace of Hamas is a test—not just of NATO, but of the West itself. Will we tolerate the legitimisation of those who glorify terror, or will we draw a line and demand accountability? For the sake of the victims of October 7 and all who believe in the rule of law, the answer must be unequivocal.

Since the unspeakable horrors of October 7, when Hamas operatives—armed, trained, and emboldened by the Islamic Republic of Iran—unleashed a massacre that stunned the civilised world, Tehran has escalated its warfare in the shadows. The battleground is no longer confined to the physical but extends to the digital realm. Cyberattacks, orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its network of proxies, have surged against both Israel and Jewish communities across the globe. This is not mere happenstance but a calculated strategy—a continuation of the regime’s longstanding mission to destabilise and intimidate.

Iran’s cyber war, increasingly brazen and sophisticated, is a tool of asymmetric warfare aimed at undermining Israel’s security and spreading unease across the Jewish diaspora. If ignored or downplayed, this digital offensive risks not only significant disruption but also the creation of very real physical dangers. The threat is not abstract; it is here, and it demands our attention.

The regime has, and that for decades, sought to export its revolutionary ideology through subversion and violence. But now, in the 21st century, its ambitions extend to cyberspace. The IRGC and its allied hacker groups—well-funded and ideologically driven—have launched a series of cyberattacks targeting Israeli government agencies, infrastructure, and financial systems. From Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to ransomware and phishing campaigns, these actions aim to cripple systems and instil fear.

The implications, however, extend far beyond Israel’s borders. Jewish organisations and communities in Europe, North America, and beyond have found themselves under siege, with cyber intrusions aimed at extracting sensitive information, disrupting operations, and sowing chaos. These attacks, while often targeting systems, are intended to erode trust, heighten vulnerability, and even provoke physical threats by exposing personal data.

Unlike Israel, with its world-leading cybersecurity infrastructure, Jewish communities abroad often lack the resources to defend themselves against state-sponsored cyberattacks. This disparity has made them attractive targets for Tehran’s digital saboteurs. In October, a ransomware attack was attempted against a Jewish community organisation in Europe, which, had it succeeded, would have paralysed its operations and exposed sensitive member data. While thwarted, the incident highlighted just how real the threat has become.

The goal is clear: Iran seeks to intimidate and isolate Jewish communities, portraying them as inseparably tied to Israel and, therefore, as legitimate targets of its ideological war. By hacking membership lists or infiltrating communications, Tehran’s proxies can amplify paranoia and mistrust, creating divisions within communities and between them and their host nations.

This cyber onslaught is not merely about disruption; it is part of Iran’s broader propaganda effort. By framing its cyberattacks as part of a “resistance” campaign, Tehran hopes to legitimise its actions in the eyes of its supporters. Disturbingly, some elements in the West—whether through ignorance or wilful complicity—continue to echo this rhetoric. Every slogan shouted in support of Hamas, every blind eye turned to Iran’s human rights abuses, feeds the regime’s delusion that its cyber warfare, like its physical violence, can proceed with impunity.

The implications are grave. As Tehran exports its digital aggression, the narrative it constructs finds fertile ground in public discourse, masking the regime’s true intentions and obscuring the real victims: the Jewish communities targeted by its campaigns.

The events of October 7 served as a tragic reminder of a long-standing issue that has been ignored for far too long: the radicalisation of Palestinian youth, which begins, all too often, in the classroom. For years, the Palestinian Authority’s education system has faced accusations of inciting hatred and glorifying violence. These concerns are not new. However, as the international community now confronts the horrifying implications of a generation raised on anti-Israel indoctrination, it has become painfully clear that the issue of Palestinian textbooks can no longer be dismissed as a minor detail.

Recently, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister, Xavier Bettel, took a rare stand, confronting officials from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over the presence of incitement and glorification of terrorism in Palestinian schoolbooks. In a moment of frustration, Bettel held up a textbook and challenged the official: “UNRWA is not neutral on education if they teach this. It’s in the book… If I want to defend you, help me to defend you.” His remarks encapsulate a problem that has been festering within Palestinian society for years. As long as the education system promotes a culture of hate, any claims of neutrality or innocence by UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority are nothing more than a façade.

IMPACT-se, an organisation that monitors educational content worldwide, has documented anti-Israel indoctrination in Palestinian textbooks for years. The problem isn’t subtle; it is blatant. These books erase Israel from maps, deny any Jewish connection to the land, and glorify “martyrdom” as a noble pursuit. According to IMPACT-se’s CEO, Marcus Sheff, what happened on October 7 is the direct result of an education system that instils hatred and celebrates violence. In his view, tackling the problem at its root requires a complete overhaul of the curriculum—anything less would be a band-aid on a deeply embedded wound.

Beyond the Classroom Walls: A Need for Societal Change

It is, of course, tempting to believe that revising a few textbooks will fix the problem. But as Dr. Michael Milshtein of the Moshe Dayan Center has pointed out, real change will demand more than just altering language on a page. According to Milshtein, Palestinian society needs to engage in the kind of national introspection that Germany undertook after 1945—a genuine reckoning with past actions, ideologies, and goals. The desire to reform, he argues, must come from within Palestinian society, and there is, at present, little evidence of this. Simply removing offensive phrases or violent imagery from textbooks does nothing if the society that reads them remains rooted in enmity and resentment.

In Gaza, where Hamas controls much of the informal education, this challenge is compounded. With over 80% of Gaza’s schools destroyed or turned into makeshift shelters, teaching often takes place in tents under the authority of teachers loyal to Hamas or UNRWA. These teachers remain largely unregulated and free to instil in their students the same glorification of “martyrdom” and jihad. Without a fundamental change in Palestinian society—a willingness to reject the ideology that valorises violence—there is little hope that revised textbooks will make any real difference.

The Role of International Pressure and the Path Forward

For years, the European Parliament and other international bodies have called for reform in Palestinian education, with some conditioning aid on the removal of antisemitic and violent content. But the Palestinian Authority has made only token adjustments, while the essential content of incitement remains intact. This problem has existed for so long that some leaders in East Jerusalem have resorted to placing blank stickers over inflammatory sections of textbooks. The absurdity of this “solution” is evident: Palestinian students reportedly keep two sets of books—one “censored” version for show, and another, unaltered, for the classroom. Such efforts fall laughably short of addressing the real problem.

There are, however, some examples in the region that provide a glimmer of hope. The United Arab Emirates, for example, has introduced Holocaust education into its curriculum, and Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Egypt have removed antisemitic passages from school materials. These changes demonstrate that where there is political will, reform is possible. But will there be any such will within Palestinian leadership? According to Sheff, “Countries change their curricula because they understand it’s for the good of their society.” Yet the Palestinian Authority has shown little interest in reforming a curriculum that serves its political agenda.

If the international community truly seeks peace, it must recognise the critical role that education plays in shaping future generations. The textbooks Palestinian children read today are the prism through which they view their neighbours tomorrow. A society cannot claim to seek peace while its youngest minds are raised on a steady diet of hate and martyrdom.

The time has come for the world to demand more than hollow promises and superficial changes. Palestinian leaders must be held accountable for an education system that incites hatred rather than hope, violence rather than coexistence. At We Believe in Israel, we believe that the first step towards genuine peace is an education system grounded in truth, tolerance, and respect for all. Anything less is a betrayal of those children and a disservice to the prospects of a future without bloodshed.

Reforming Palestinian education is no longer an option—it is a necessity. Until Palestinian textbooks reflect a commitment to peace, the prospect of peace itself will remain tragically out of reach.

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.