Violence Follows Europa League Match Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Photo Credit: Robin Van Lonkhuijsen/Getty Images

On Nov. 7, a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Europa League match between Maccabi–Tel Aviv and Ajax took place at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff stadium. At the same time, tensions were rising in Amsterdam, in light of the ongoing Israel–Hamas war, and the city was experiencing an uprising in related protests and violence.

Prior to the match, fans of Maccabi-Tel Aviv, an Israeli club, and Ajax, a Dutch club, had taken to social media. Some Maccabi-Tel Aviv fans posted anti-Arab slurs and other profanity. In addition to social media threats, the Israeli fans were seen tearing down Palestinian flags, vandalizing vehicles, and praising Israeli military attacks. 

In the days leading up to the game, the Dutch government banned pro-Palestinian supporters from demonstrating outside the stadium, in an attempt to avoid political conflicts. However, according to ABC News, further investigation by Dutch police reveals that these groups communicated with their followers to proceed with the demonstrations anyway. 

They reportedly changed the locations of their movements and warned people under the age of 18 not to attend, as they were expecting violence. Additionally, a day before the match, a group of around 400 Maccabi-Tel Aviv fans were seen chanting in Hebrew “Olé, olé, let the IDF win, we will **** the Arabs.”

After the match ended in a 5–0 win for Ajax, chaos ensued in the streets of Amsterdam. Multiple videos show Maccabi-Tel Aviv fans being chased by Dutch residents. In one instance, a man shouts, “I’m not Jewish!” repeatedly after being chased by a group of men. 

Five people were hospitalized, and an estimated 30 others suffered minor injuries. Dutch law enforcement are currently investigating whether or not the violence was organized or spontaneous.

Following the incident, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof returned early from a trip abroad, and said he was ashamed that such events had unfolded in his country, calling it “a terrible anti-semitic attack [that they] will not tolerate.” 

Israeli officials responded in shock, describing the series of attacks as “pogroms” — organized massacres targeting a specific ethnic group. 

In an attempt to keep its citizens safe while leaving the Netherlands, Israel provided ten “rescue” flights back to Tel Aviv under the soccer club’s instruction. Passengers were instructed to avoid wearing any Jewish symbols until they landed in Israel. The Israel National Security Headquarters further advised fans to “avoid movements in the street and shut oneself in hotel rooms,” emphasizing concern for citizens’ safety. 

Whether or not the violence was related to the Maccabi-Tel Aviv vs Ajax match is unclear, but certainly recent world events have created an incredibly volatile atmosphere. Tense sports matches may be a breeding ground for unnecessary animosity and violence. 

Not long after the Amsterdam attacks, a soccer game between the French and Israeli Men's National Teams took place at the State-de France in Paris. Around 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff were present, according to Paris Chief of Police Laurent Nunez. 

Furthermore, an entire police unit established an “anti-terrorist security perimeter” consisting of two ID checks, according to Bruno Retailleau, France’s Interior Minister. Notably, President Emmanual Macron attended the match in an act described by his office as a message of “fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable antisemitic acts that followed the match in Amsterdam.”

When a scuffle broke out amidst the stands, security personnel were successful in ensuring the violence did not escalate. 

Both matches took place during a tense time, while the Israel-Hamas war raged on. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, compared the recent Amsterdam attacks to the historic 1938 pogrom known as Kristallnacht, in which Natzi authorities orchestrated a night of antisemetic violence. 

“Tomorrow, 86 years ago, was Kristallnacht, when Jews on European soil were attacked for being Jews. This has now recurred,” he told The Times of Israel.