This Thursday evening, following the Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, several Israeli supporters were violently attacked in the streets of Amsterdam. Israeli authorities reacted strongly, calling the incident a “premeditated anti-Semitic attack.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the dispatch of two rescue planes to help the victims and demanded that Dutch authorities act quickly against those responsible.
“When it’s not women and children, they run away”
Amsterdam police arrested 57 people in connection with these incidents. Heavy security was deployed to escort Israeli fans to their hotels, while the Amsterdam municipality moved a planned pro-Palestinian rally near the stadium for security reasons. In this tense context, Hakim Ziyech, the Moroccan international who played for Ajax, caused controversy with a publication on Instagram. “When it’s not women and children, they flee,” published the winger in a clear reference to the conflict which is wreaking havoc in the Gaza Strip. “Free Palestine”, the Moroccan then commented.
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To summarize
In a very tense context of attack on Israeli supporters in Amsterdam on the sidelines of a Europa League match, Hakim Ziyech is controversial. The Moroccan winger published a message in clear reference to the conflict in the Middle East.
