Violent clashes took place in Amsterdam on the sidelines of a football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, leaving 20 to 30 Israeli supporters injured. The low number of arrests is singled out, while anti-Semitism reignites tensions in the Netherlands…
Violence broke out in Amsterdam on Thursday evening on the sidelines of a football match between local club Ajax and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv. In total, between 20 and 30 Maccabi supporters were injured after being attacked by groups of individuals. According to the Dutch police, the latter had responded to a call to target Jews launched on social networks.
The report shows around sixty arrests made by the police following these incidents. A figure deemed “very low” by the new Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. “I was informed by the mayor of Amsterdam about the formation of a special investigation team, but I can say that so far the number of arrests is very low,” he said during a press conference. Israel has also offered its help in this investigation.
A context of anti-Semitic tensions
This violence occurs while anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli acts are on the rise since the start of the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas a little over a year ago in the Gaza Strip. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said she was “ashamed” of these clashes, described as an “explosion of anti-Semitism that she hopes never to see again”.
These incidents took place despite a generally calm atmosphere in the stands during the meeting. However, some Israeli supporters reportedly did not respect the minute of silence in memory of the victims recent floods in Spain, a country which recently recognized the State of Palestine.
Songs hostile to Palestinians?
A video shared on social networks, the origin of which is being verified, also shows Maccabi fans singing songs hostile to the Palestinians in Hebrew. Facts which, if proven, could have contributed to triggering this violence on the sidelines of the match.
Political reactions in the Netherlands
Faced with these events, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp assured that a “thorough investigation would be carried out in the Netherlands”. A firm stance at a time when anti-Semitism is causing growing concern in the country. The number of anti-Jewish acts recorded in recent years is in fact constantly increasing.
This new incident shows once again how sport can be the theater for the expression of community and geopolitical tensions. It also highlights the difficulties faced by the authorities in curbing these phenomena of violence and hatred, despite the security measures deployed during such risky encounters.
The difficult fight against anti-Semitism in Europe
Beyond the Netherlands, it is in many European countries that the fight against anti-Semitism proves difficult. In France, Germany and the United Kingdom, anti-Jewish acts have also been on the rise in recent years. A phenomenon fueled by tensions in the Middle East but also by the progression of far-right movements.
Faced with this observation, European leaders are increasing their declarations and initiatives to try to stem this worrying trend. Tougher laws against hate crimes have notably been adopted in several countries. But it is clear that there is still a long way to go to eradicate this scourge which is blighting societies.
The fight against anti-Semitism must be everyone’s business. It is a constant battle that requires constant vigilance.
Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic
This violence in Amsterdam is therefore a sad reminder of the urgency of acting in the face of anti-Jewish hatred. A major challenge for our democracies which must guarantee the security and respect of all communities. Sport, the ultimate vehicle for bringing people together, cannot become the arena for the expression of hatred and intolerance. This is the challenge for the years to come to eradicate this poison from our societies.
