2024 antisemitic riots in Amsterdam

2024 antisemitic riots in Amsterdam
Part of Antisemitism during the Israel–Hamas war
Amsterdam's National Monument, where the riots erupted
Location	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date	2024-11-07
Attack type	riots, car ramming
Injured	10
Victims	Israeli Jewish soccer fans
Perpetrators	pro-Palestinian mob
Motive	Antisemitism

The 2024 anti-semitic riots in Amsterdam, also the "Amsterdam pogrom", were a series of violent incidents targeting Israeli and Jewish soccer fans that occurred in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on the night of November 7, 2024. The attacks took place following a UEFA Europa League soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv, an Israeli football club, and Ajax Amsterdam of the Netherlands.

According to Dutch authorities, the perpetrators "actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them." Following the attacks it was reported that 5 were hospitalized and 62 were detained.

The attacks were described by Dutch authorities as antisemitic, with statements of condemnation from both the Dutch and Israeli governments.

Background

Amsterdam police increased their presence in the city center the night before the match. Local authorities cited concerns over the potential for conflict in various areas. On Wednesday evening, police reportedly intervened to prevent a confrontation between a group of taxi drivers and a separate group of visitors from a nearby casino. Prior to the match, video footage circulating on social media showing some Maccabi fans allegedly engaging in chants that included anti-Arab slurs and statements praising IDF operations in Gaza. Other footage showed individuals tearing down Palestinian flags in Amsterdam, though the timing and context of these incidents remain unclear.

Despite heightened security, pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempted to reach the Johan Cruyff Arena on match day, although the city had banned such protests.

Attacks

The match itself ended without incident, with Ajax defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0. However, after the game, violence erupted in several areas of Amsterdam. According to the Israeli embassy and Dutch police, Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were ambushed and attacked in various locations throughout the city. Dutch police have stated that at least five individuals were hospitalized and 62 people were detained following the clashes.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the attacks involved multiple assaults, with footage showing fans being beaten and chased with knives. Eyewitnesses reported attempted stabbings, individuals being thrown into a river, and extremists beating and spitting on Israelis. A report by Ma'ariv also indicated at least one attempted kidnapping of an Israeli, and many fans sought refuge by barricading themselves in stores and buildings. Social media footage showed fans being pursued with knives, a pedestrian struck by a car, and a man in a canal being forced to chant "free Palestine." Ten Israelis were injured, and three went missing during the attacks.

Response

Netherlands

Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, said he was "horrified by the antisemitic attacks on Israeli citizens." He called the situation "unacceptable," adding that he was "in close contact with all parties involved and have just spoken to Netanyahu by phone to stress that the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted."

Dutch politician Geert Wilders wrote: "Looks like a Jew hunt in the streets of Amsterdam. Arrest and deport the multicultural scum that attacked Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in our streets," adding that he was "Ashamed that this can happen in The Netherlands. Totally unacceptable."

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema condemned the attacks, describing the perpetrators as "antisemitic hit-and-run squads." At a news conference, she expressed deep shame, calling the incident "a very dark moment for the city."

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands expressed "deep horror and shock" at the attacks, adding: "We failed the Jewish community of the Netherlands during World War II, and last night we failed again."

Israel

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reacted to the attacks by advising Israelis in Amsterdam to stay in their hotels. In the wake of the violence, which he condemned as "barbaric and antisemitic," Sa'ar described the events as "a blaring alarm call for Europe and the world." He also reached out to his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, requesting assistance in transporting Israeli citizens safely from their hotels to the airport, as reported by Israel’s foreign ministry.

In a call with Dutch PM Schoof, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed "the supreme importance" of ensuring the safety of all Israelis in the Netherlands. Netanyahu emphasized the seriousness of the planned anti-Semitic attacks against Israeli citizens and requested heightened security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. Initially, Netanyahu announced plans to dispatch "rescue planes" to bring Israeli citizens home. However, his office later clarified that the focus would shift to arranging commercial flights for their safe return, rather than deploying rescue planes.

States

• France: Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau rejected calls to relocate an upcoming match between France and Israel, stating that doing so would amount to "abdicating in the face of threats of violence and antisemitism." He affirmed that the match would proceed as planned at the Stade de France, with security arrangements in place to ensure safety.

• Palestine: The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning anti-Arab chants reportedly made by Israeli fans and the desecration of Palestinian flags in Amsterdam. The Ministry also called on Dutch authorities to ensure the protection of Palestinians and Arabs in the Netherlands.

Groups

Yonathan Arfi, head of the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions juives de France, called the events "a mass lynching, a systematic attack on Israeli supporters leaving the match. It is the crassest anti-Semitism that is resurfacing through these images.", adding that the victims were targeted "not only in the name of the conflict taking place in Gaza but also because they are Jews."

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth, called the attacks a "watershed moment" for Europe, adding that "Hateful mobs have chased down Jewish and Israeli football fans on the streets of Amsterdam after a match, violently beating them and proudly posting the footage on social media."

See also

• 2023 antisemitic riots in the North Caucasus