Antisemitic Attacks Prompt Emergency Flights for Israeli Soccer Fans

[Coventina]

The authorities in Amsterdam on Friday were investigating what they called antisemitic attacks on Israeli soccer fans that took place amid a charged atmosphere surrounding a soccer match involving a visiting Israeli team.

The police in Amsterdam said that at least 62 people had been arrested in connection with attacks in the city, which unfolded over two tense days that saw people gather in support of the Israeli team while others protested its presence.

The Dutch police said the violence included assaults on Israeli fans by people, some riding scooters, who kicked and beat them in “hit and runs.”

Most of those arrested were later released, the police in Amsterdam said, though 10 people remained in custody as of Friday afternoon. Five Israelis who had been hospitalized with injuries were discharged, the police said, and between 20 and 30 others sustained light injuries.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/world/europe/amsterdam-israel-soccer-fans-attacked.html

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So much for the Dutch being known for tolerance.

[TheRickles]

1. Here's some important context about pre-match Israeli provocateurs:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/11/what-happened-amsterdam-israeli-football-fans

"Verified social media videos show Maccabi fans setting off flares and fireworks, chanting in Hebrew “olé, olé, let the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] win, we will fuck the Arabs”, and declaring that there were “no children” left in Gaza."

Plenty of graphic, on-site, realtime video clips are available online.

[Coventina]

2. Asshole behavior as well, they should have been arrested for public nuisance.

Does that justify random physical attacks?

[TheRickles]

3. An eyewitness describes what she saw:

[Mossfern]

6. Started watching

but the announcer lost my confidence when he mentioned the "genocide" that Israel is committing in Gaza.
The term "genocide" is not a neutral word and is emotionally charged.

Yes, I do denounce what the right wing Tel Aviv Maccabee fans were doing and saying, but they are not the Israelis who were attacked. Here we go again, endorsing the punishment of an entire group for the acts of a few.

I've ALWAYS spoken against the settler movement.

[Simeon Salus]

4. This was right-wing hooliganism and payback

"The Maccabi Tel Aviv fan base is known to include far-right ultra groups that have been involved in racist incidents in Israel in the past, including directing racist abuse at Arab and black players on their own team"

"Footage and reports showed Maccabi fans tearing down and burning Palestinian flags in Amsterdam on the evening of 6 November and shouting "fuck you Palestine". Dozens of Maccabi supporters gathered in front of Villa Mokum, a squat on the Rokin where several Palestinian flags were displayed. Videos showed them throwing stones at the windows, climbing the building and ripping the flags off."

"Maccabi Fanatics ultras convened in the city centre, in particular around Dam Square, displayed banners celebrating Israeli war heroes and set off fireworks. They chanted, among others, "Fuck the Arabs". Other people, clothed in black, chanted anti-Israeli slogans. Police instructed individuals displaying pro-Palestinian symbols or chanting slogans like "Free Palestine" to leave the square. At around 17:00, they moved towards the stadium. In side streets and on Station Square, this led to fights"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2024_Amsterdam_attacks

[Laurelin]

5. I think you should not judge a nation by soccer hooligans

Seriously. The mayor of Amsterdam and the king condemned the attacks. I don't think that physical violence is justified, but I also have no patience with idiot soccer hooligans who chant things like death to Gaza, or tear down Palestinian flags. There are a lot of Muslims in Amsterdam.

That said, is a nation that elected Geert Wilders really still known for tolerance?

[Coventina]

7. Your point is well-taken. n/t