While many lawmakers voiced their condemnation of antisemitism, there was a clear split as opposition members charged Wilders with exacerbating tensions. They argued that his comments were detrimental to fostering a harmonious society and merely served to inflame the situation.
The unrest in Amsterdam unfolded both before and after a soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Incidents involved opposing fans, with some Maccabi supporters reportedly attacking a taxi and shouting anti-Arab slurs. Additionally, there were accounts of individuals engaging in “hit and run” tactics against those they suspected of being Jewish, according to the city’s mayor, Femke Halsema.
Post-match, a report from Amsterdam authorities detailed how a group of Maccabi supporters, armed with sticks, caused widespread destruction. Another aspect of the violence included small groups of rioters, who moved stealthily to assault Maccabi fans before fleeing.
In the wake of the chaos, police reported that five individuals required hospitalization due to injuries related to the unrest. While law enforcement detained numerous people ahead of the match, there were no immediate arrests made for the violence that ensued after the final whistle.
The outbreak of antisemitic rhetoric, vandalism, and physical confrontations has surged across Europe in light of ongoing tensions stemming from the conflict in Gaza. With heightened sensitivities surrounding the soccer event, the attacks on Maccabi supporters incited national outrage and were unequivocally labeled as antisemitic acts.
This wave of violence has also cast a shadow on Amsterdam’s longstanding reputation as a city of tolerance, prompting a period of reflection for the nation as a whole.
In his remarks, Wilders highlighted the stark coincidence of the violence occurring on a night dedicated to commemorating Kristallnacht, the infamous 1938 anti-Jewish pogrom in Germany. He lamented that the glamorous city of Amsterdam was witnessing “Muslims hunting Jews” and scapegoated “Moroccans” for the unrest, describing it as a near-miraculous escape from casualties in what he referred to as a “jihad in the streets.” He emphasized that Amsterdam, lovingly called Mokum—a Yiddish term for “safe haven”—had transformed into something resembling a battleground.
Known for his vehement anti-immigrant stance and ongoing threats to his life from extremist groups, Wilders has survived under stringent security measures for over two decades. A supporter of Israel, he proposed in parliament that individuals found guilty of participating in the violence should have their Dutch citizenship revoked if they also hold dual nationality, leading to their deportation.
Several lawmakers expressed concerns that Wilders’ rhetoric was widening societal divides rather than facilitating unity. Rob Jetten from the centrist D66 party emphasized that Wilders’ incendiary comments did nothing to mend the country’s fabric or address the underlying issues of antisemitism.
Frans Timmermans, the head of the largest center-left parliamentary group, resonated with this critique, arguing that instead of promoting peace and solutions, Wilders was only adding to the discord at a time when the nation needed leaders who could unite people.