The Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema discussed on Tuesday a "toxic cocktail of antisemitism and hooliganism" that was behind attacks on Israeli supporters after a football match last week.
Halsema also noted that "injustices were committed against the Jews in our city, as well as minorities who sympathise with the Palestinians." The comments came during an emergency meeting of Amsterdam’s city council after the Dutch capital was shaken by attacks on Israeli football supporters.
"Israeli Jewish supporters were guests in our city, and they were hunted, chased, and attacked through antisemitic calls on social media and in the streets," said Halsema.
"But Amsterdam residents were also attacked by Maccabi hooligans who chanted racist and hateful slogans in our city," she added.
On Thursday night (7 November), after a Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi supporters were chased and beaten in the streets of Amsterdam.
The violence resulted in 20 to 30 injuries. Isolated incidents erupted before the match, including anti-Arab chants by Maccabi supporters. Dutch police have so far arrested 62 individuals; ten of which are Israeli residents.
