Krawalle in Amsterdam: Fußballfans entfachen Gewalt und Chaos!

Dam Square, Amsterdam, Niederlande - In Amsterdam, chaos erupted as tensions flared between Israeli football fans and pro-Palestinian supporters ahead of a UEFA Europa League match. The atmosphere turned volatile when Maccabi Tel Aviv fans arrived in the Dutch capital, igniting a series of confrontations that left the city on high alert. The trouble began when Maccabi supporters reportedly tore down a Palestinian flag and unleashed a barrage of anti-Arab chants, including the inflammatory slogans “F*** you Palestine” and “No children left in Gaza.”

On Wednesday, the situation escalated dramatically. Maccabi fans burned a Palestinian flag in the iconic Dam Square and vandalized a taxi, as captured in shocking videos. Eyewitness accounts revealed that these fans targeted homes displaying Palestinian flags, leading to a swift police response. As the match against Ajax unfolded, police escorted the Israeli fans to the stadium, while pro-Palestinian demonstrators were banned from gathering nearby. The game ended with Ajax triumphing 5-0, but the real turmoil erupted post-match, as groups on scooters attacked Maccabi supporters, prompting riot police to intervene.

Police and Government Response

Authorities acted decisively, detaining 62 individuals linked to the violence, with ten remaining in custody for serious offenses. Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema condemned the attacks, labeling them as “anti-Semitic hit-and-run squads,” and imposed a temporary ban on demonstrations. Emergency measures, including stop-and-search powers, were enacted to restore order. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Mossad to devise strategies to prevent future violence at international events, while Maccabi advised its fans to stay indoors and avoid displaying Jewish symbols.

In the aftermath, five individuals were hospitalized, with reports of additional injuries among both Dutch and Israeli fans. The U.S. and U.N. condemned the violence, with President Biden calling it “despicable.” As security remains heightened around Jewish sites in Amsterdam, concerns loom over the safety of future matches involving Israeli teams, particularly as Maccabi Tel Aviv prepares for its next game against Besiktas, which will not take place in Istanbul due to safety fears.