THE HAGUE, Netherlands — On Saturday, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof made the decision to forgo attending the United Nations climate conference in Azerbaijan. His intention is to remain in the Netherlands to address the repercussions stemming from attacks on fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team in Amsterdam, an incident that has been widely condemned as antisemitic.
The Dutch government is set to discuss the violent events that occurred on Thursday night during a Cabinet meeting on Monday. Prime Minister Schoof announced via social media platform X that he would also be conducting discussions on how to combat antisemitism the following Tuesday.
Following the violent incidents, which Amsterdam’s mayor described as “hit and run” attacks by groups of youths, police have launched a significant investigation. These assaults were reportedly incited by social media messages calling for violence against Jewish individuals. In total, five people required hospital treatment, and over 60 suspects have been apprehended, with four of them still in custody as of Saturday, according to Amsterdam police.
Alongside the active police investigation, Amsterdam’s mayor has also initiated an independent inquiry. Dutch Justice and Security Minister David van Weel informed lawmakers that the government is looking into whether prior warnings about potential violence from Israeli sources were ignored ahead of the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
In a gesture of solidarity, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar hurried to the Netherlands on Friday, extending Israel’s assistance with the police investigation. He engaged in discussions with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, on Saturday.
Mayor Femke Halsema of Amsterdam mentioned that the Netherlands’ counterterrorism agency had indicated before the match that there was no specific threat against Israeli fans, leading to the conclusion that the match did not present a high risk.
Nevertheless, Amsterdam authorities decided to prohibit a pro-Palestinian demonstration that was planned outside the Johan Cruyff Arena where the match took place on Thursday night. Footage also emerged of a substantial group of Israeli fans shouting anti-Arab slogans while heading to the game. Following the match, groups of youths, using scooters and on foot, sought out Israeli fans to attack, quickly fleeing the scene to escape the extensive police presence throughout the city, as stated by Halsema.
In response to the situation, Prime Minister Schoof returned prematurely from a European Union summit held in Hungary and met with Jewish community representatives in the Netherlands the night before.
“It was an impactful discussion regarding the anxiety and sadness faced by the Jewish community. They confront the realities of increasing antisemitism in the Netherlands on a daily basis,” Schoof shared on X.
To ensure safety, a citywide ban on demonstrations remained enforced throughout the weekend, and security measures were heightened at Jewish locations within Amsterdam. This city is known for its significant Jewish population and was famously home to Anne Frank and her family during World War II as they concealed themselves from Nazi persecution.