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Following a soccer match in Amsterdam, fans of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv were reportedly attacked by assailants, some carrying Palestinian flags.
Israeli Soccer Fans Attacked in Amsterdam (Video screengrabs/Social Media)
Hundreds of fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv were reportedly attacked on the streets in Amsterdam after the Israeli soccer team lost to local club Ajax. In several videos widely shared on social media, some assailants were also seen carrying Palestinian flags and shouting “Free Palestine”, while they also forced those attacked to chant the slogan.
In an X post, the Israeli embassy in the US said the “soccer team were ambushed and attacked in Amsterdam tonight as they left the stadium following a game against Ajax.”
Releasing two helpline numbers, the embassy also stated Israelis in need of assistance should call one of the two numbers.
The embassy also shared a video of the attack on its X handle.
(The following video contains sensitive visuals and abuses. Viewers’ discretion is advised).
⚠️ Graphic videos ⚠️Hundreds of fans of the @MaccabiTLVFC soccer team were ambushed and attacked in Amsterdam tonight as they left the stadium following a game against @AFCAjax.
The mob who targeted these innocent Israelis has proudly shared their violent acts on social media.… pic.twitter.com/R3vRAIKrIG
— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) November 8, 2024
Israel’s former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in a self-released video on X, called out to the Dutch authorities to act immediately to prevent further injuries and loss of lives and said the Jews were being attacked at multiple locations in Amsterdam.
At this moment Jews are being attacked in multiple locations in Amsterdam.I call upon the Dutch authorities to act NOW. pic.twitter.com/VZtLNw45KH
— Naftali Bennett נפתלי בנט (@naftalibennett) November 8, 2024
Meanwhile, the Times of Israel quoted multiple reports and said several Israelis were injured in the attack. It also said the passports of some of the targeted Israelis were stolen by the attackers.
In an X post, Noa Tishby, former special envoy for combating antisemitism and delegitimisation of Israel, wrote, “We are receiving extremely disturbing footage coming out of Amsterdam where Israel’s soccer team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, was playing in a soccer match. Pro-Hamas hate mobs are attacking Jewish fans in the streets of Amsterdam. They’re beaten, kicked, run over, thrown in the river.”
“In one instance, a fan was reportedly held against his will until he said “Free Palestine”. When terrorist sympathizers chant globalize the intifada, this is what it looks like. Every one of these are anti-Jewish hate crimes, plain and simple,” (sic), she added.