Israeli Football Hooligans Incited Racist Riots In Amsterdam Then Called It A “Pogrom” When They Were Attacked
Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans gathered in a central square in Amsterdam and burned Palestine’s flag and chanted anti-Arab chants, according to Amsterdam police.
Israeli football hooligans incited racist riots in Amsterdam, chanting anti-Arabs and anti-Palestine slurs and attacking locals, then called it a “pogrom” when they were attacked in response.
The violence unfolded after the Europa League football match between team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax in Amsterdam on Nov. 7.
Tensions were already building up a few days before the match, according to local reports.
Before the match, hundreds of Israeli fans started the violence, waving Israeli flags and attacking an Arab taxi driver.
They gathered in a central square and burned Palestine’s flag and chanted anti-Arab chants, according to Amsterdam police.
The chants included "Let the IDF win”and “fuck the Arabs" as well as "Why is school out [in Gaza]? There are no children left there."
During the match, Maccabi fans refused to sit for a moment in silence for victims of Spain’s deadly floods and disrupted the silence with chants, whistles and fireworks.
Then after the match, Israeli hooligans began attacking locals and tearing down Palestine flags hanging on balconies and buildings.
In response, people in Amsterdam called on social media to “mobilize” and attacked the Israeli hooligans back.
Five people were injured, and police arrested at least 62 people.
Following the riots, the government banned demonstrations to decrease tensions, but people in Amsterdam defied the ban and rallied in protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza and condemning the Israeli hooligans who attacked their city, saying they “do not tolerate this.”
Police cracked down on protesters and at least 100 people were arrested.
Israelis, including officials, then called the attacks against the Maccabi fans a “pogrom”, and the Israeli government sent in flights to evacuate its citizens from Amsterdam.
Mainstream media coverage of the incident has drawn widespread condemnation, as outlets called it “antisemitic” and focused on the Israeli fans being attacked without mentioning they had incited violence with anti-racist slurs and actions.
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