what we know about the facts, the context and the reactions – Libération

by Laura Richards – Editor-in-Chief November 8, 2024

written by Laura Richards – Editor-in-Chief November 8, 2024

On the night between Thursday and Friday 8 November, after the match against Ajax, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were attacked in the streets of the Dutch capital. The tension had been building ever since‍ the day before.⁣

On the sidelines of the Europa League football match in Amsterdam between Ajax ⁣and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, tensions and violence broke out on the evening of Thursday 7 November. ⁤Several Israeli supporters were⁢ chased and attacked on the streets of the Dutch metropolis on the night between Thursday and Friday 8 November, events widely condemned by politicians around the world. Free takes stock of what we know about this night‍ of violence.

What happened?

On Thursday evening, the Johan-Cruyff Stadium hosted the Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel-Aviv. In front of just over 50,000 spectators, of which 3,000 Israelis, Ajax won with⁣ a score of 5 to 0. At the end⁢ of the match and for a good⁢ part of the night, clashes broke out involving⁢ Maccabi fans and young people, without apparent ⁤signs of Ajax. In some videos released on social networks, Maccabi fans‍ are seen being ⁣chased and beaten in the streets of Amsterdam. Some attackers ask them, in English, where they are from. Others ⁤force them to say “Free Palestine” while beating them. ⁢A video shows a man insulting another in Arabic, specifically insulting him “son of a bitch of a Jew”. The fans ended up being escorted to their hotels by the police.

According to Israeli media, around ten Maccabi fans were injured. For their part, Amsterdam police said on Friday morning that ‌five people ended‍ up in hospital and that 62 others were arrested, without specifying for the moment their identity and possible affiliation to one of the two clubs.

Tensions ⁤started on the eve of the match

Already on Wednesday evening the situation in Amsterdam seemed tense. The municipal police explained‌ on Thursday morning that they had carried ⁣out⁤ an intervention during the night “a⁤ clash between a ‌group of taxi drivers and a group ⁣of strangers”. THE ‍ Eye of the Middle ‍East ⁢speaks on his part of a “Arab taxi driver” that he would have been attacked “from ‌what appears to be a crowd of Israeli supporters” Wednesday‍ evening. And he reports that, on the same day, “a group of Israeli supporters” had been filmed in Dam Square singing‌ «Fuck Palestine».

Maccabi Tel‍ Aviv hooligans gathered in Amsterdam’s Dam Square sparked tension by triggering a clash with pro-Palestinian supporters on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/Q0GYvwm8pi

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) November 8, 2024

On Thursday⁤ before the ‌meeting, other events occurred in the Dutch capital, again linked to ⁤the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which further increased the level of tension. Several videos show (unidentifiable) ‌groups attempting to tear down Palestinian flags hung in windows by⁢ residents, some of whom chant again as they pass by. «Fuck ⁣Palestine». In other videos, we see a large group of Maccabi fans descending the ⁣escalators singing at the top of their lungs, in Hebrew: “Let⁢ the‌ IDF win and screw ⁤the Arabs.”

May the IDF win to screw the Arabs!’

Maccabi‍ Tel Aviv hooligans sing while protected by police⁣ in Amsterdam.

For their safety, ban Israel from international competitions.

Other nations are often banned. pic.twitter.com/i3PYOMbArw

— Esher (@EsherFor) November 8, 2024

What are the⁣ reactions?

This Friday morning there were numerous convictions. “We see with horror this morning the shocking images and videos that ⁤we had hoped never to see again since October 7: an anti-Semitic pogrom currently underway against Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters and Israeli citizens in the heart⁢ of Amsterdam”Israeli President Isaac Herzog said this in a statement. Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, announced the sending of “two‌ emergency planes”⁢ provide assistance to Israeli supporters. The new head of Israeli diplomacy, Gideon Saar, must go⁤ there “soon”.

For his part, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, ‌denounced “Unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks against⁣ Israelis” and promised that the authors will be “desired and pursued”. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said ⁤this “indignant” Of “Despicable attacks” against the Maccabi‍ fans.

Even in France the night of the ⁣violence in Amsterdam sparked reactions. Benjamin⁤ Haddad, minister responsible for Europe, talks about a “hunt for Jews on European soil” and invites you not to show up“no weakness,⁣ no cowardice in the face of anti-Semitism”. The vast majority of the French political class has made‌ similar statements. Éric Ciotti talks about it “return from‌ a crystal night”Bruno Retailleau talks about shares “barbarians” Who “I am pure anti-Semitism”.

On the ⁤left the positions ‍are rarer and less categorical. Guest of the Cnews / Europe 1 morning program, Manuel ⁣Bompard said “If there have been attacks or kidnappings, they are unacceptable”making sure ⁢you saw “Circulate the images” From‌ “racist provocations,⁣ tearing down of flags” ⁤ by Israeli fans. His LFI colleague,‍ Raphaël Arnault, from the anti-fascist ‍movement, pointed the finger at the⁢ Maccabi fans who are “famous for⁣ hosting the⁣ broadest fringes of far-right, racist and violent hooligans” and who hasn’t⁤ come to⁢ Amsterdam “pick daffodils”. To which the environmentalist‌ MP Sandrine Rousseau⁢ responds indirectly, on X: “I read “Israeli supporters provoked”, but is it right to justify such violence?!”

An even ‍more closely monitored France – Israel ‌match

The incidents in Amsterdam raise fears‍ that similar‌ tensions could arise in Paris in less than a week. On Thursday 14 November, ⁢as part of the Nations League, the French football team will host the Israeli team. The match will take place at the Stade de ⁤France and in public, Bruno Retailleau reconfirmed on Friday morning.‍ “France does not hold back because it would be‍ equivalent to abdicating in the face of threats of violence and anti-Semitismwrote on X. At my request,⁢ Police Prefect Laurent Nunez is‌ taking the necessary security measures ‌for this match‌ to take place at the Stade de France, as usual. 2,500 law enforcement officers will be mobilized, distributed in the⁤ stadium and in⁣ the Israeli selection hotel. CRS companies will also ‌patrol Paris. the front rows of the Stade de France, closest to the ‍pitch, will not be occupied, to avoid any invasion of the pitch, another police source told‌ AFP. However, the Stade de France is not⁤ expected to be full, according to the same ⁣source.

#facts #context #reactions #Libération
Time.news Interview: Understanding the Violence in Amsterdam

Editor: Thank you for joining us today. We have with ⁢us Dr.‌ Sarah ‌Katz, a political ⁤analyst specializing in global sports and conflict. Dr. Katz, the recent violence ‍involving ‌Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in‍ Amsterdam has⁣ raised many questions. Can you provide some context to what happened during ⁤the Europa League match against‌ Ajax?

Dr. Katz: Absolutely, and thank⁣ you for‍ having ⁣me. The night of November 7th was particularly tense, with Maccabi⁢ Tel Aviv supporters being attacked after the ‍match. It’s important to‍ note that this was⁤ not an isolated incident, as tensions had been brewing in the days⁤ leading up to⁣ the game.

Editor: ⁤ Why do you think the situation escalated so dramatically?

Dr. Katz: The escalation can⁢ be attributed‌ to a combination of ⁣factors. Not only was there a significant number of Maccabi ⁤fans present in Amsterdam—about 3,000—but there was⁣ also an underlying atmosphere reflecting the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Reports indicated⁢ that some fans had engaged in provocative behavior even before the match, chanting anti-Palestinian slogans, which likely heightened tensions with locals and pro-Palestinian groups in the city.

Editor: There are reports of violent⁣ confrontations‍ where‍ Maccabi fans were chased and beaten, with some attackers demanding that fans profess “Free Palestine.” How ⁤significant‌ is this in the context of European football?

Dr. Katz: This is a ⁣troubling reflection of how sports can sometimes serve⁤ as a battleground for larger societal and political issues. The demand for fans to declare “Free Palestine” while being attacked underlines how deeply ingrained the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is in public consciousness, especially in cities like Amsterdam, which has a storied history of political activism.

Editor: What‍ about the response from political leaders? There were a variety of ‍reactions, from Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s condemnation to support ⁢from European officials. How do⁤ these responses reflect broader societal attitudes towards ⁣anti-Semitism in Europe?

Dr. Katz: The responses highlight a spectrum ‍of political reactions. Herzog’s statements indicate a sense of‍ urgency and a desire to frame this attack within a historical narrative of⁣ anti-Semitic violence. European leaders, like the Dutch Prime Minister and Ursula von⁤ der Leyen of the⁢ European ⁢Commission, also expressed outrage, which reflects an increasing intolerance of anti-Semitism on a political level. However, the response from some on the political left ⁣was more nuanced, which shows that there is‍ still‍ debate on how to address these issues⁢ effectively without compromising on the conversation ‍around anti-Zionism and criticism of Israel.

Editor: Dr. Katz, given ⁤the dire ‍predictions of rising‍ anti-Semitism, ‌especially amid conflicts like these, what can‌ be ⁤done to foster dialogue and prevent such violence in the future?

Dr. Katz: A multifaceted approach is necessary. Firstly, football clubs and governing bodies need to⁢ take a stronger ‌stance against hate ⁤speech ⁤and violence within their fanbases. Educational campaigns that promote mutual respect and understanding between differing ethnic⁤ and⁣ political groups⁣ could also be ⁢vital. Additionally, creating ‍safe venues ⁤for dialogue can also help alleviate tensions. Ultimately, a commitment⁢ to countering hate in all‍ its forms—whether it be anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or any other—is paramount.

Editor: Thank you, Dr. Katz. Your insights shed‌ light on ⁤the complexities‍ surrounding this issue. It’s ⁣crucial we keep the dialogue going, especially in light of recent events.

Dr. Katz: Thank you for‍ having⁢ me. It’s important we continue to discuss these challenges‍ and seek solutions that ⁢promote peace and understanding.

what we know about the facts, the context and the reactions – Libération

What happened?

Tensions ⁤started on the eve of the match

What are the⁣ reactions?

An even ‍more closely monitored France – Israel ‌match

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