NEW YORK – New York’s political leaders roundly condemn anti-Semitic violence after a football match in Amsterdam Thursday evening.
Anti-Semitic rioters “actively sought out” supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv, which was playing a match against Amsterdam’s Ajax, “to attack and assault them,” authorities said.
Five people were hospitalized and 62 were detained.
There were also incidents before the match. Macabbi fans marched through the center of Amsterdam in support of Israel. Torches were lit and some Palestinian flags were taken down.
The Israeli government said it was coordinating planes to bring Israeli citizens home from the Netherlands.
X/iAnnet via REUTERS.
“This is a very dark moment for the city, for which I am deeply ashamed,” Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said at a press conference on Friday. “Anti-Semitic criminals have targeted and assaulted visitors to our city in hit-and-run operations.”
“The harsh images of the attack on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said, adding that the Israeli government “will consider the premeditated anti-Semitic attack on Israeli citizens with the utmost seriously.”
“Completely unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with all those involved,” said Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
On social media, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the attacks a “pogrom.”
New York’s leaders are responding
“This anti-Semitic attack on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam is pure evil and the images of the attack are eerily reminiscent of Kristallnacht. The failure to protect fans must be investigated quickly and comprehensively. The resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world is completely unacceptable and must be strongly condemned,” Senator Chuck Schumer wrote on social media.
“The attacks on Jews in Amsterdam are deeply disturbing and horrific. We must do everything in our power to protect Jews in America and around the world,” New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote on social media. “This anti-Semitism and violence must end now.”
