154 Dutch football fans arrested amsterdam after chanting anti-Semitic slurs on his way to the Johan Cruyff Arena in the Dutch capital on Saturday.
A police statement said the fans, who were not identified by local police as supporters of a specific club, received several warnings to stop singing. The arrests came on the same day as Ajax and AZ Alkmaar were competing at the former’s home stadium.
While police did not identify the fans’ allegiance, according to Dutch media, AZ Alkmaar released a statement condemning the anti-Semitic chants.
“The club condemns in the strongest terms the inflammatory behavior and discrimination and unequivocally disassociates itself from those who are guilty of it,” the club said in a statement.
Dutch media also reported that only 11 suspects out of 153 fans remained in police custody overnight. It is alleged that 11 members verbally and physically abused and broke the windows of police cars.
Dutch media quoted Ed Weerdner, the Dutch national coordinator for combating antisemitism, as saying that “people are getting the message that this is no longer acceptable. I am glad that is happening. We are seeing a turning point.” Well, things are finally changing.
“You can see when someone uses language like this [soccer] The context through which it filters. “Jew” is used in the classroom, for example, which makes Jewish people feel insecure.
Jewish identity in Dutch football
Ajax is branded as a Jewish club, despite not having Jewish roots. Ajax fans often describe themselves as “Super Jews” and have been seen waving Israeli flags after matches.
The club has been the target of anti-Semitic chants in the past. The European Jewish Federation said that in 2021 Arnhem supporters chanted “Hamas, Hamas, gas the Jews” towards Ajax.
those days, Dutch chief rabbi And Binomiin Jacobs, president of the European Jewish Federation of the Organization’s Committee to Combat Antisemitism, issued a statement saying, “Clearly the chants are abhorrent and disgusting. They are ignorant and [represent] A double attack on the Jews: on Israel and the Holocaust. The natural reaction is to condemn in the strongest possible terms. We do, of course.
“But that in itself is not enough. We must be constructive, we must engage, we must educate so that those who think they are throwing lines in the spirit of rivalry are fully aware of the weight of their words. are aware of, which cause harm and injury.”
“The mayor and I, a Jew and a Muslim, are fully aware of the dangers of ignorant prejudice. And we are also fully aware that boxing people in with condemnation can lead to a ‘them and us’ situation. is. It is in nobody’s interest. Our town hall meeting, which I am grateful to the mayor for initiating, will be a candid, and we envision a difficult, exchange of ideas. But an entirely necessary Is.
Also in 2021, as previously reported By jerusalem postAn anti-Semitic mural was painted depicting Ajax players.
Anti-Jewish beliefs are becoming more widespread in the Netherlands
Post also reported On the rapidly spreading anti-Semitic beliefs in the Netherlands. According to the report, 23% of Dutch Millennials and Gen Z believe the Holocaust is a myth, or that it happened but the number of Jews who died was greatly exaggerated.
It also found that 29% of Dutch respondents, including 37% of Dutch millennials and Gen Z, believe that two million or fewer Jews were killed during the Holocaust.
Zika Klein contributed to this report