Amsterdam 2024 – reminiscent of Kristallnacht 1938

The world is in shock after the violence that erupted following the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax soccer match in Amsterdam on the evening of 7th November.

About 3000 Israelis were in Amsterdam to attend the match. At least 10 Israelis were injured by local Arab and Muslim gangs who attacked Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans in many parts of the city following the soccer match. Hundreds of Israelis huddled in their hotels for hours, fearing they could be attacked. Many said that Dutch security forces were nowhere to be found, as the Israeli tourists were ambushed by gangs of masked assailants who shouted pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel slogans while they hunted, beat and harassed them.

Pro-Palestinian activists claimed the Israeli fans were the first to engage in harassment and violence, although those claims have not been verified. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that a Palestinian flag was ripped off a building in the center of the city. City officials said that ten Israelis had been arrested ahead of the soccer match that preceded the antisemitic attacks. Dutch Prime Minister Schoof condemned the actions of the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, but stressed that “there is a big difference between destroying things and hunting Jews,” Schoof said.

It has become clear that this was a premeditated act of terror targeting the Jewish community. Reminiscent of some of the darkest episodes in European history, it has deeply alarmed Jewish communities in Europe and abroad.

It has also exposed security gaps. Evidence is emerging that the attacks were coordinated by extremist networks linked to former UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) employee Ayman Nejmeh.

The attack underscores a troubling reality: radical groups across Europe are increasingly using public gatherings as venues for antisemitic violence, leveraging social media and transnational networks to amplify their impact.

“Reminiscent of some of the darkest episodes in European history, it has deeply alarmed Jewish communities in Europe and abroad.”

Europe stands at a crossroads. We cannot dismiss this resurgence of antisemitism, nor can we afford to repeat the mistakes of history by neglecting the safety of Jewish communities. In 1938, Kristallnacht – orchestrated by the Nazi regime – devastated Jewish lives and businesses across Germany. Today, European leaders must act with urgency and determination to prevent a repeat of such tragedies.

The Dutch government has recognized the severity of this incident and pledged to investigate failures within its police and National Coordinator for Terrorism Prevention and Security. Why were the Dutch intelligence, security and police institutions unable to prevent the attacks? This must be clarified.

But that is not enough. The Dutch government, European Union authorities, and international bodies must take immediate action to ensure that those involved are held accountable, leaving no one unpunished or at large. They must examine connections with organizations like UNRWA and scrutinize former employees of international agencies suspected of engaging in antisemitic and violent activities. And they must strengthen protections for Jewish communities.

“It is time for our governments to confront antisemitic narratives that underlie these attacks.”

It is also time for our governments to confront antisemitic narratives that underlie these attacks. For too long, governments have failed to prevent misinformation and slogans that incite violence under false pretences, which serve as rallying points for extremism. The right to freedom of speech does not justify the dangerous calls for intifada and for the liberation of Palestine “from the river to the sea” – all such slogans denying the right of the Jewish people to self-determination and the legitimacy of the Jewish State of Israel, feed the latent antisemitism and inevitably lead to physical attacks on Jewish people.

Our leaders must act decisively to protect all citizens, in this case, the Jewish communities and the Israeli tourists.

At this time, let us stand in solidarity with Jewish communities and reaffirm our commitment to promoting security, justice, and tolerance.

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