Following a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam last night, hundreds of Israeli football fans supporting Maccabi Tel Aviv were ambushed and attacked by a mob outside the stadium.
The incident, involving both verbal and physical assaults, unfolded as the Maccabi fans exited the arena after the game.
Footage of the attack, shared on social media, shows members of the mob openly boasting about the violence inflicted on the Israeli supporters.
The attackers claimed the assault was in retaliation for Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza and Palestine.
Supporters of the mob posted messages online alleging that the assault was meant to express solidarity with Palestinian civilians affected by the conflict.
The assault has drawn immediate condemnation from various groups and has heightened concerns over the safety of Israeli citizens in Europe, especially given the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
In response to the incident, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Israeli Embassy in the Netherlands (IsraelinNL) issued a statement urging any Israeli citizens in need of assistance to reach out. They have provided contact numbers for support.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry and embassy officials are reportedly working with Dutch authorities to ensure the safety of Israeli nationals and to address the rise in hostilities faced by Israeli citizens abroad.
The embassy has also called on local law enforcement to investigate the incident and take steps to prevent further violence against visiting Israeli citizens.
The attack on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans has shocked the football community and raised questions about safety at international sporting events.
Fans and officials alike have expressed concerns over the use of sports events as a platform for politically motivated violence.
Many argue that while the Middle East conflict is complex, violence at international events detracts from efforts to maintain neutrality and sportsmanship.
Local authorities in Amsterdam have yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
However, heightened security is expected at future games, and discussions are underway about how to prevent similar incidents at matches involving Israeli teams in the future.
The incident underscores the challenges faced by sports organizations in keeping international games safe and free from political violence.