Dutch authorities say people on scooters attacked Israeli fans overnight after a soccer game in Amsterdam apparently fueled by calls to target Jewish people spread online.

Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in Amsterdam by hordes of young people apparently riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people, Dutch authorities said Friday. Five people were treated for injuries at hospitals and dozens were arrested.

Ahead of the game, large crowds of supporters of the Israeli team could be seen on video chanting anti-Arab slogans as they headed to the stadium, escorted by police.

“Let the IDF win, and (expletive) the Arabs,” the fans chanted, using the acronym of the Israeli military, as they shook their fists. It also showed police pushing several pro-Palestinian protesters away from a Maccabi fan gathering in a square earlier in the day.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    172·
    6 days ago

    The report is someone saying they saw someone on telegram who claimed they saw it somewhere else…

    That’s a credible claim to you?

    Even ignoring all the propaganda Israel and it’s far right get up to, those unfounded claims are enough to retroactively excuse crowds of Israelis cheering genocide?

    Everyone has different morals, but I’m afraid ours are so far out of alignment I really don’t want to continue

    • The_Terrible_Humbaba@slrpnk.netEnglish
      12·
      5 days ago

      There are more articles out there reporting on the same thing. Just because it might not fit your preconceived notions, or the narrative that you have already decided on, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

      Here, for example, if you scroll down:

      We’ve just heard from two people from Britain’s Jewish community who attended the football match in Amsterdam.

      (…)

      “We got to one of the central areas and we saw mopeds turn up and some guys started beating an Israeli guy going back to his hotel," he says, adding they were referring to his religion and stomping on his head.

      (…)

      “Shortly after, the same men that had attacked the Israeli came up to us right into our personal space, saying are you Jewish? We said no, we are British," he says.

      (…)

      “They were looking for Jews not just Israelis,” he says.

      This coming from British men, as reported by the BBC. BBC also release this article a couple of day ago; do you think they are just running propaganda for Israel?

      Just because Israel is committing genocide in Palestine, you don’t have to condone or try to downplay this type of behavior. You can support Palestine and still acknowledge that this behavior was grounded in antisemitism. Or do you find it unlikely that in central Europe, and with the rise of the far right, there are Nazis and other antisemites? Not to mention football hooligans are usually quite right wing.

    • breakfastmtn@lemmy.caEnglish
      215·
      6 days ago

      The claims are from Dutch authorities, not a random “someone,” and not solely from Israeli authorities. From the Guardian’s coverage:

      The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, described an “outburst” of antisemitism with “hit and run” attacks on the visiting supporters.

      “Men on scooters crisscrossed the city looking for Israeli football fans. It was a hit and run. I can easily understand that this brings back memories of pogroms,” Halsema said. “Our city has been deeply damaged. Jewish culture has been deeply threatened. This is an outburst of antisemitism that I hope to never see again.”

      . . .

      Theodoor van Boven, who owns the Condomerie, near Dam Square on the Warmoesstraat, said he saw gangs apparently hunting and chasing opposing fans. “What we saw here in the street in the evening and at night were groups of often Dutch groups who were out hunting, who were looking for Maccabi fans. They were on foot in groups, on scooters, riding round looking, and telephoning each other – it [seemed to be] organised.”

      And, yes, “Jew hunts” are racist even if particular Jews who end up being hunted are themselves racist assholes.

        • breakfastmtn@lemmy.caEnglish
          39·
          6 days ago

          Just a dodge, really, but I get it. It ain’t easy defending organized Jew hunts.

          To stop dancing around it, if someone called you up and said, “hey, let’s get together tonight and hunt some Jews!”, would you think that’s an okay thing to do or a fucked up thing to do?

          While there were clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups (and other incidents), the Dutch authorities – who know more about this than any of us – have been unequivocal: the “hunt” was both racist and coordinated. If, say, Dutch neo-Nazis wanted to use anti-Israeli sentiment as a cover for racist violence, how do you think this would look different? Do you think it’s okay for Dutch neo-Nazis to do that?

          And, if their investigation discovers neo-Nazis or other racist, far-right groups (who are very active in the Netherlands) doing just that, will you own supporting and defending their activity?

          • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
            62·
            6 days ago

            The thing is, you’re still falling for propaganda, and after the recent election I just don’t have the patience to try and talk you out of it

            • breakfastmtn@lemmy.caEnglish
              1·
              5 days ago

              Again, I’m not “falling for propaganda,” unless you have a good explanation for how the Dutch police, the mayor of Amsterdam, and the king of the Netherlands are Israeli agents or somehow beholden to Israel to become vehicles for their propaganda. But we can leave it here. I think we’re all feeling pretty fucked up after the election. Take care of yourself :)