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This was one report from Amsterdam after a football match on Thursday:
Femke Halsema [mayor of Amsterdam] told a news conference: ‘This is a very dark moment for the city, for which I am deeply ashamed. Antisemitic criminals attacked and assaulted visitors to our city, in hit-and-run actions.’
The mayor declared emergency measures that would allow police to conduct extra searches; there was also a ban on protests and on face coverings.
An investigation is ongoing, but from early reports, Israeli fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv football team were targeted by Palestinian supporters, primarily after the match at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where the local team had won.
In trying to piece together events, violence broke out before the match:
The first arrests took place hours before the game, as Israeli supporters gathered in the city centre. There were then further arrests at a planned demonstration against the arrival of the Tel Aviv side's players, and after the match as some targeted Israeli supporters.
A pro-Palestinian protest had been planned at a square near the arena, but the police stopped the rioters from reaching the arena; protestors responded to the police with fireworks. Attackers were roaming the city on scooters, hunting for Israelis.
In total, 62 people were arrested, although the groups they represented weren’t clear. Five of the Israeli fans were also taken to the hospital.
The attacks seemed to be addressed appropriately by the authorities:
A statement issued by the Dutch capital’s municipality, police and prosecution office said the night after the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv match at the Johan Cruyff Arena ‘was very turbulent with several incidents of violence aimed at Maccabi supporters. ‘In several places in the city, supporters were attacked. The police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels. Despite the massive police presence in the city, Israeli supporters have been injured,’ the Amsterdam statement said.
Apparently taxi drivers were involved, too:
The mayor confirmed reports that taxi drivers had been involved in the attacks, after the head of the Netherlands' Central Jewish Committee (CJO) said they had ‘moved in groups and cornered their targets’.
A couple of facts mentioned in passing, however, probably due to the political implications, raise some serious questions for investigators. First, which groups instigated violence prior to the game at the arena? The Israelis or the pro-Palestinian protestors? Second, was the Israeli response initiated by the personal attacks made on them, or were they baiting the local fans? For example, early trouble erupted:
Ahead of the match, there had already been some trouble and arrests in Dam Square involving Maccabi fans and pro-Palestinian protesters. Police chief Peter Holla confirmed there had been incidents ‘on both sides’ the previous night. He said Maccabi supporters had removed a Palestinian flag from the wall of a building and set it alight, but that there had been no further trouble until the following night.
These questions need to be part of the investigation. It’s not acceptable to simply make this encounter simply about anti-Semitism if the Israelis were attacking the locals.
Fortunately, many Israelis made their way to their hotel rooms that night with the help of the police, and Benjamin Netanyahu arranged for flights for those Israelis who wanted to return to Israel.
No matter what details are revealed, the situation is ugly and frightening.
Discussion (20)
CHARTER MEMBER
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"It is time to completely rethink immigration policies globally. Living in the West is an incredible privilege. We should treat it as one. Open borders will kill Western civilization. Careful vetting of immigrants, standards for being part of Western society, and deportation for violating those standards are going to become essential features of immigration policies globally. "
https://x.com/BillAckman/status/1854859617194463535
It may be too late for some countries, though.
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thespectator.com
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I didn't even address that aspect, and it's an extremely important one, David! But as you say, it may be too late in some countries. I hope we're not too late here.
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This isn’t the start of anything. Jews and Jewish institutions in continental Europe have been in danger for years. Jews, even children, have been murdered. Schools, Synagogues and other institutions require armed protection.France is particularly problematic. I stood on the steps of the heavily-fenced Synagogue in Copenhagen a few years ago. Weeks later, a Jew was shot dead where I had stood. Sadly, it seems to be a case of Muslims in, Jews out. That may be harsh on decent, peaceful Muslims, but there is insufficient condemnation of violence coming from their ranks.
Ireland, where I live, has a serious problem with hatred of Israel, which spills over into antisemitism all too often. So far this hasn’t manifested itself in physical violence. However, a few months ago, the Israeli Women’s Basketball team were advised not to play here because “their safety could not be guaranteed”.
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These immigrants are just doing the racism Europeans won’t do.
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