Last night, clashes in Amsterdam sparked outrage and concern. After a soccer match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which the home team won 5-0, dozens of Israeli fans were attacked by a crowd that appeared to be pro-Palestinian. Fortunately, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that all the Israelis initially reported missing have been located.
According to local authorities, 57 people were arrested during the day. Ten Israeli fans were injured in the attacks. Dutch Prime Minister Dirk Schoof condemned the incident, calling it an anti-Semitic act and promising that those responsible would be prosecuted. He expressed shame for what had happened and assured that the Dutch government would ensure the safety of Israeli visitors.
“After the soccer match, several people attacked Israeli fans. This is unacceptable,” Schoof said. Amid rising tensions, Israel has sent two planes to evacuate its citizens from Amsterdam.
Reactions to the incident were swift and widespread. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema stressed that anti-Semitism is ever-present in Dutch society. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also condemned the violence, saying that anyone who attacks Jews attacks all of us. In addition, Dutch King Willem-Alexander expressed deep outrage, comparing the incident to the country’s failure to protect Jews during the Holocaust.
“Last night we failed again,” declared the king. The climate of fear persists among Israeli fans in Amsterdam. Many feel unsafe and some citizens have arranged safe passages to take them back to the airport. Local authorities are facing increasing pressure to ensure safety and prevent further attacks. As Maccabi Tel Aviv’s next match in Istanbul approaches, the focus remains on the safety of Israeli athletes abroad. It is essential that the relevant authorities address these challenges urgently to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
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