An informal EU summit in Budapest sparked intense discussions following violent incidents in Amsterdam after a Champions League match between Ajax and Maccabi. Leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, condemned the violence and antisemitism. Maccabi fans clashed with pro-Palestinian activists, leading to arrests and injuries. The unrest escalated, with antisemitic incidents reported in the following days, prompting a demonstration ban from the Mayor of Amsterdam amid ongoing tensions and fears for safety among Israeli fans.
Emotional Reactions at the EU Summit in Budapest
On Friday, an informal summit of EU leaders convened in Budapest to discuss strategies for enhancing competitiveness. However, the most passionate discussions arose from alarming news that surfaced from Amsterdam. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, expressed her outrage, stating, “I am appalled by the brutal assault on Israeli citizens.” Meanwhile, Charles Michel, the President of the Council, underscored that “antisemitism will not be tolerated.” Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, emphasized the importance of coexistence among diverse cultures, hoping for a similar atmosphere in Amsterdam.
Violence Erupts Following Football Match
The leaders’ remarks were in response to violent incidents that occurred after a Champions League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which have since created tensions in Paris, where an international match between France and Israel is set for Thursday. In Amsterdam, groups of Israeli football fans were violently pursued and attacked. The city’s Mayor, Femke Halsema, described the assailants’ tactics as “hit and run.” Authorities arrested 62 individuals, and five victims required hospitalization due to minor injuries.
Social media has documented these attacks extensively, with various recordings verified by multiple news outlets. The footage indicates an anti-Israeli sentiment and potentially antisemitic attitudes among the attackers. However, a detailed analysis reveals that not all violence originated from individuals of presumed Arab descent targeting Jewish attendees. The sequence of events raises questions about who instigated the violence, with no clear connection established between the different incidents that unfolded over nearly two days across various neighborhoods.
What is evident is that upon arriving in Amsterdam, several hundred Maccabi fans did not act like a peaceful group. Riots broke out on Wednesday evening, confirmed by the city’s police chief. Group members shouted anti-Palestinian slogans and even removed Palestinian flags from buildings, with at least one flag being burned in Dam Square.
During the unrest, Maccabi fans hurled insults toward the Gaza Strip’s population. The provocations escalated beyond verbal confrontations, as taxi drivers, many of whom are of Arab descent in the Netherlands, reported being targeted. Videos surfaced showing one fan attacking a taxi, while another depicted a brutal assault on a taxi driver. However, these claims remain unverified.
The unrest spilled over into Thursday, coinciding with the match day, as confrontations erupted in the city center where pro-Palestinian activists intentionally provoked Israeli fans, leading to two arrests. Although the match itself was calm, Maccabi fans disrespected a moment of silence for flood victims in Valencia, continuing their chants, reportedly due to Spain’s critical stance on Israel.
Following the match, violent manhunts occurred, capturing the attention of the global community. Israeli fans were coerced to display their passports, fearing for their safety. Videos showed Maccabi supporters arming themselves with objects and engaging in attacks. Taxi drivers also organized and joined the fray.
A pivotal figure in depicting the chaos was a 16-year-old YouTuber known as Bender, whose footage of the riots garnered over a million views. His recordings captured the clashes between aggressive Maccabi fans and law enforcement, alongside confrontations with purported pro-Palestinian residents, creating a tense atmosphere filled with screams and chaos.
Even a week later, the incidents in Amsterdam remain a focal point, especially given their political ramifications. Mayor Halsema swiftly imposed a ban on demonstrations following the riots, extending it until Thursday, although legal challenges are anticipated, with a court set to review the legality of the ban in an expedited process on Tuesday.
The unrest continued into Monday night, with reports of new antisemitic incidents in Amsterdam’s western suburb of Slotermeer, where groups of young men ignited fireworks, targeted vehicles, and set a tram ablaze. Security forces struggled from 7 PM to 11 PM to restore order at a memorial site, facing off against several hundred rioters. Video evidence captured chants of “Jewish pest,” and reports of “Free-Palestine” slogans emerged, mirroring the tumultuous scenes from the previous Thursday.