Amsterdam, Netherlands — Last week’s violent assault on Jewish soccer supporters in Amsterdam, branded as a “Jew hunt” by instigators, was an organized attack ignited by tensions from earlier pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, authorities stated. The call for violence against fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv surfaced on the messaging app Telegram and escalated rapidly, leading to multiple injuries and arrests.
Mayor Femke Halsema expressed her shock and disgust at the brutality directed towards Jewish individuals in the city, deeming the episodes of violence both appalling and shameful. The discord erupted before a scheduled Maccabi soccer match and involved weapons such as fireworks, which attackers used to ambush their targets.
Reports pointed to several Israeli fans being physically attacked; among them was financial adviser Ofek Ziv. He recounted a harrowing experience to local reporters where he and his companions were bombarded with firecrackers and pursued by a mob wielding knives and bats. According to Ziv, the attackers displayed an intense aggression, seemingly fueled by deep-seated animosity.
Further complicating the assaults were allegations that some taxi drivers in Amsterdam cooperated with assailants, using communication platforms like Whatsapp and Telegram to locate and target Jewish soccer fans. This claim was later validated by police investigations which exposed that these drivers had indeed heeded online calls to confront the Jewish visitors.
On the flip side of the altercation, Palestinian supporters alleged that provocations by Maccabi fans initiated the brawls. Social media footage circulated showing Israeli supporters vocalizing support for the Israeli Defense Forces and uttering anti-Palestinian sentiments, actions that purportedly contributed to the escalation of violence.
Authorities disclosed that communication about the attacks was also organized through misleadingly labeled WhatsApp chats termed “Community Center”. These chats included calls for further assaults labeled as “PART 2 JEW HUNT” planned after the soccer game.
In response to the use of their platforms for coordination of these violent acts, both WhatsApp and Telegram shut down the groups involved, reaffirming their policies against organized violence and cooperating with Dutch law enforcement.
The intensity of the clashes peaked with around 200 people reportedly gathering, targeting Jewish individuals as they exited the soccer stadium. This resulted in severe injuries, including two fans who were significantly beaten, recounted Shachar Bitton, a 30-year-old Maccabi fan, who was shaken by the ordeal.
In the aftermath of these events, Dutch police detained over 60 individuals involved in the unrest, though unrest persisted, underscoring challenges in restoring order. In light of these events, French authorities are ramping up security measures for an upcoming France-Israel soccer match in Paris. Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez detailed the extensive plans to prevent a recurrence of such violence, which includes deploying a substantial number of officers and imposing stringent security protocols around the stadium area.
President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his intention to attend the game, hoping it will symbolize solidarity and counteract the abhorrent antisemitic acts witnessed in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Israel’s National Security Council has issued warnings to Jewish fans regarding potential threats at the upcoming game, urging vigilance and caution amid a tense atmosphere.