Following clashes, Amsterdam tightens security as tensions flare around Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in sports.
The Dutch capital of Amsterdam has ramped up security measures after confrontations between pro-Palestine demonstrators and fans of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv football club ahead of a UEFA Europa League match.
Tensions began on Wednesday when Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters arrived in Amsterdam for their scheduled Thursday match against Ajax. According to eyewitnesses and verified video footage, Israeli fans sparked anger by removing a Palestinian flag, burning another, and chanting inflammatory slogans. Some fans also reportedly vandalized property and attacked homes displaying Palestinian flags.
On Thursday evening, as Maccabi Tel Aviv fans made their way to the stadium, police escorted them and restricted pro-Palestinian demonstrations nearby. After Ajax won the match 5-0, groups on scooters confronted the departing Maccabi fans, prompting intervention from riot police. Over 600 police officers were deployed, and police later detained 62 individuals, with 10 remaining in custody on Friday for various charges, including vandalism and disturbing public order.
How has the international community reacted?
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attacks, warning they echoed past persecution of Jews. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed shock, while Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur, criticized Western media for downplaying the Israeli fans’ role in inciting the clashes.
This unrest has raised concerns over security at future games involving Israeli teams. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s upcoming match against Turkey’s Besiktas is being moved from Istanbul to a neutral venue for safety reasons.
