Supporters of the Ajax Amsterdam football club, in the Netherlands, attacked pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Monday, who, like their counterparts on American campuses, took over the city’s university . Ajax ultras went to the protest tent and attacked the demonstrators with flares and sticks. Some of them wore Fanatics masks, the Maccabi Tel Aviv ultras, known for their friendship with Ajax supporters for many years.
According to reports in the Netherlands, around 140 protesters were arrested during the riots. Most of them were released Tuesday morning. In response to the thousands of videos posted on social networks, many Internet users thanked the Ajax supporters who stood alongside Israel, a rare occurrence in Europe.
The friendship between Ajax and Maccabi began in 2004 when the two teams faced each other in the group stage of the Champions League. Since then, Maccabi fans have regularly waved Ajax banners and vice versa. Supporters are known for their identification with the Jewish community and Israel, with ultras even receiving the nickname “Super Joden” (Super Jews).
Ajax Amsterdam, the most successful club in the Netherlands, is often considered the city’s Jewish community club, with both being based in the same area of Amsterdam. Israeli flags have flown in the stands at every match for many years and Ajacci fans display large Stars of David to cheer on their team, even though very few of them are Jewish.
