In a brutal display of violence on Thursday evening in Amsterdam, Israeli football fans were attacked by a pro-Palestine mob following a match against Dutch team Ajax.
The assault, which populist leader Geert Wilders decried as a “pogrom” and a “Jew hunt,” left at least ten Israelis injured, three missing, and others in hiding. The shocking events, unfolding on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht—the 1938 Nazi pogrom of Jewish homes and businesses—have reignited concerns about rising antisemitism in Europe.
The attacks began when a group of masked men chased and assaulted Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, reportedly shouting phrases like “Free Palestine” and “Now you know how it feels.” Numerous fans were seen fleeing, some even diving into Amsterdam’s canals to escape. The Jerusalem Post quotes witnesses describing the attackers as “Arabs” and “Muslims”.
Footage shared widely on social media captured moments of horrifying violence, including assailants demanding that their victims denounce Israel and pledge allegiance to the Palestinian cause. One video shows an Israeli man, forced to lie on the ground, begging for mercy as he is asked to shout “Free Palestine.”
Dutch police reported that 57 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence. Speaking from an EU summit in Hungary, Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof described the scenes as “completely unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis” and promised that “the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted.” He further pledged to ensure the safety of Israelis and all Jewish residents in the Netherlands.
Following the attacks, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially announced plans to deploy Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) cargo planes and medical teams to rescue those stranded in Amsterdam. While the mission was later called off, two planes remain ready to assist if needed. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, he has demanded swift action from Dutch authorities and expressed his anger at what he called a “horrifying incident.”
In response to the violence, Israeli fans in Amsterdam have been advised to stay indoors. Israel’s Foreign Ministry expressed its deep concern, stating, “These horrific scenes echo Europe’s darkest history,” particularly given the grim anniversary of Kristallnacht. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, condemned the events as fuelled by “pure antisemitism” and described the brutality as “unimaginable.”
The attacks have prompted statements from Jewish and Dutch leaders, who warn that such violence reflects a dangerous trend. Britain’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, called the attacks “utterly devastating,” adding on X, “This should be a watershed moment for Europe and for the world…when it realises how severe the scourge of anti-Jewish hatred has become.” He lamented, however, that “tragically, this will not be the last such attack, God forbid.”
Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Freedom Party, expressed similar outrage, calling the events “a Jew hunt in the streets of Amsterdam.” Demanding accountability from Amsterdam’s mayor, Wilders criticised the city’s response, adding, “I am ashamed that this can happen in the Netherlands. Totally unacceptable.”
As the dust settles, the gravity of the situation continues to be assessed. Eddo Verdoner, the Dutch national coordinator for combating antisemitism, described the attackers as “repugnant,” stressing the shamefulness of such incidents occurring in the Netherlands.
A joint statement from Amsterdam’s city hall, police, and prosecutor’s office said, “There is no excuse for the antisemitic behaviour displayed last night.” It stressed that the “Israeli visitors and Jewish community must feel safe in Amsterdam.”
Despite police preparations for potential unrest after pro-Palestinian protests erupted earlier in the day, authorities have faced criticism for their failure to protect Israeli supporters. A member of the Amsterdam Chabad community, who was at the game, shared his disbelief with The Jerusalem Post, stating, “I’m in shock… Didn’t expect it at all.”
Meanwhile, victims described terrifying ordeals, including being chased, forced to hide in shops and hotels, and even narrowly escaping knife attacks. “We were ambushed,” said one fan, accusing the police of abandoning them. Another expressed disbelief over the police’s lack of protection, saying, “The Dutch police sold us so that the Arabs would lynch us.”
As the Jewish and Israeli communities await further assurances from Dutch authorities, the incident has left a deep scar, highlighting once again the vulnerability of Jews in Europe. As Rabbi Mirvis emphasised, Europe stands at a crossroads, faced with a choice to confront rising antisemitism or to risk repeating the past.
