On Tuesday, Dutch authorities announced the first convictions in connection with the violent attack on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam. Five were sentenced to punishments ranging from hundreds of hours of community service to six months in jail. Time already spent in custody will be deducted from their sentences.
The attack occurred on November 7, following a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. Of the five convicted, only one—19-year-old Lucas D.—appeared in court for sentencing. He received 100 hours of community service after the court determined he was a member of a Snapchat group that egged on violence, and an eyewitness saw him throw stones at a police car. According to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, other defendants skipped the hearing, with their lawyers citing "discomfort" caused by media attention.
Israelis attacked in Amsterdam
The harshest sentence was handed to 32-year-old Sefa A., who received six months in jail. A barber by trade, Sefa was identified through security camera footage and could not deny his involvement in the attack. His defense attorney argued that statements by far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders about antisemitic terror had biased the case against him, but the court rejected this claim.
A 24-year-old defendant, Omutkan A., was sentenced to one month in prison for attacking three Israelis. The court found him guilty of kicking a fan in the face and violently stealing a scarf. Text messages presented as evidence showed him referring to a "Jew hunt." His lawyer argued Maccabi fans should also face prosecution.
Shocking evidence of the attacks in Amsterdam
Another defendant, 26-year-old Rashid O., was sentenced to ten weeks in prison for inciting violence against Jews on social media. Among his posts were messages such as, "I may never get another chance like this to beat Jews," "Has no Jew been killed or stabbed? In critical condition or intensive care?" and "Smash them." He also asked others to share the locations of Jews.
The attacks appeared to be coordinated and targeted Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in several areas of Amsterdam after the game. Social media videos, including footage shared by fans present at the scene, showed dozens of masked assailants—some carrying Palestinian flags—kicking and punching Israelis. Dozens were arrested.
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In additional footage, masked attackers were seen attempting to break into hotels where Israelis were staying. Local media reported multiple hotspots of violence, with police struggling to regain control of the situation.
Following the violent incident, Israel’s National Security Headquarters advised Israelis in Amsterdam to remain indoors, stay in their hotel rooms and avoid displaying Israeli or Jewish symbols. The advisory was later updated, stating it was safe to leave hotels and travel to the airport.