Amsterdam Anti-Arab slogans and attacks on Jewish fans
The Guardian|November 12, 2024
Violence in Amsterdam around a Europa League football match between Ajax and Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv last week sparked global horror.
Jon Henley
Amsterdam Anti-Arab slogans and attacks on Jewish fans

Here is what we know so far:

What happened on Wednesday?

The first incidents were reported the evening before Thursday's match. Police say Maccabi fans tore a Palestinian flag down from the facade of a building and then burned it, shouted "fuck you Palestine" and vandalised a taxi.

After a radio callout a number of taxi drivers converged on a casino on the nearby Max Euweplein, where about 400 Israeli supporters had gathered. Police dispersed the taxi drivers and escorted supporters out of the casino. Verified social media videos show Maccabi fans setting off flares and fireworks, chanting in Hebrew "Ole, ole, let the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] win, we will fuck the Arabs", and declaring that there were "no children" left in Gaza anymore.

What happened the next day?

There were further clashes on Thursday afternoon on the city's central Dam Square, where a large crowd of Maccabi supporters had gathered. Police said pro-Palestine demonstrators tried to reach the square. Two arrests were made.

Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were filmed chanting anti-Arab slogans on their way to the Johan Cruyff Arena. Police escorted the 2,600 fans to the game and dispersed protesters defying a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the stadium.

This story is from the November 12, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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This story is from the November 12, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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