A wave of violence surged through Amsterdam late Thursday following a high-stakes soccer match between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, leading to violent clashes and widespread property damage. Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly stormed the city, ripping down Palestinian flags from private homes and chanting provocative slogans.
Eyewitnesses and social media footage revealed disturbing scenes of Maccabi fans vandalizing property, attacking bystanders, and even setting a Palestinian flag on fire. Among the shocking incidents captured on video were assaults on a local taxi driver and confrontations with law enforcement officers.
Max Blumenthal, editor of The Grayzone News, shared his thoughts on the violent scenes, stating, “There are numerous videos of Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam vandalizing property, attacking cops and bystanders, and tearing down Palestinian flags. Now, this fascist group is playing the victim and waiting for airlifts back to their colonies.”
Football journalist Leyla Hamed also confirmed the reports, adding, “Hooligans from the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv marched through Amsterdam, stealing Palestinian flags from homes and even setting one on fire.”
In response to the violence, Israeli officials quickly condemned the incidents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled the clashes as “very violent” and announced that rescue planes would be dispatched to assist Israeli citizens in Amsterdam. He called on Dutch authorities to “take swift and vigorous action against the rioters.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar would visit the Netherlands to meet with Dutch officials, including his counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, and to speak with members of the Dutch Jewish community in Amsterdam.
In the aftermath of the unrest, Amsterdam’s Het Parool reported that two individuals had been arrested following skirmishes in Dam Square, though their identities have not been revealed.
To prevent further violence, the Dutch authorities declared several parts of the city as “risk zones,” granting the police authority to conduct stop-and-search operations. Amsterdam’s Mayor, Femke Halsema, acknowledged during a city council meeting that while there were no legal grounds to ban Maccabi fans from attending the match, the ongoing Gaza conflict had amplified local tensions. Halsema also imposed a ban on a pro-Palestine protest near the Johan Cruijff Arena and advised Ajax fans to avoid potential confrontations. Authorities also increased security checks ahead of the 9 p.m. match.
Amsterdam police confirmed a reinforced presence in the city center, where they intervened in multiple incidents, including a confrontation involving taxi drivers. Additionally, they reported that a Palestinian flag had been torn down by unknown individuals the night before the match.
As tensions escalated, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that 10 Israeli citizens were injured during the unrest and urged others to stay in their hotels for safety. Authorities have made around 30 arrests in connection with the violence, though further details of the detainees remain unclear.
