The Washington Post published an investigative report on Thursday morning shedding light on the violent events in Amsterdam, where dozens of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were attacked after the Europa League match against Ajax. The report, titled "How Antisemitism, Israeli Nationalism, and Anger Over Gaza Collided in the Streets of Amsterdam," explores what led to the escalation of violence.
Pogrom in Amsterdam
The investigation, which draws on video footage, text messages, court testimonies and interviews with 30 witnesses, aimed to uncover the root causes of the incidents. According to the Post, the events have ignited competing narratives. The Israeli government described the violence as "a premeditated pogrom reminiscent of dark times when Jews were persecuted in Europe," while Palestinian activists claimed their actions were meant to "protect their city from the aggressive provocations of Israeli soccer fans and protest the bloodshed caused by Israel’s war in Gaza." However, the Post asserts that "neither narrative fully reflects the reality on the ground."
Was violence organized or reactive?
Regarding claims that the violence was premeditated, the report notes that "there was coordination among taxi drivers and other locals who used messaging apps to organize a show of force, with at least one chat referring to a 'Jew hunt.'" However, the investigation found that these conversations occurred only after the match, and in many instances, were reactions to incidents that took place the night before. According to the Post, on the evening prior to the game, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans allegedly removed a Palestinian flag, damaged a taxi in the city, and got into an altercation with a driver. The report stresses that neither the newspaper nor Dutch police found evidence of pre-planned violence in the days leading up to the match.
The Post also emphasizes that "the violence that unfolded was not one-sided." While Israeli fans were harassed, chased, and in some cases beaten, video footage from one of the early post-match altercations reveals that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were, in fact, the aggressors in that particular incident.
Arrests and legal proceedings
Following the events, approximately 70 people were arrested in connection with the attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. Last week, legal proceedings began against five of them, who are facing charges for various violent offenses. Three of the suspects have been charged with "public violence" against Israeli soccer fans. At the same time, one 22-year-old Palestinian asylum seeker is being tried for attempted murder after kicking a victim in the head.
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The Washington Post’s investigation sheds light on the complexities of the violence, highlighting the intersection of antisemitism, nationalism, and geopolitical tensions, which continue to ripple from conflicts far beyond the soccer pitch.