How a Jewish pogrom in Amsterdam shook all of Europe
Amsterdam is usually known for its liberalism and multiculturalism. However, on Thursday, 7 November, the city gained the label "antisemitic" as a Jewish pogrom took place there. Not only the Netherlands but all of Europe is seeking answers about what happened, why it wasn't stopped and how to prevent such incidents in the future.
Read more about what happened in the Dutch capital and why in the article by Daria Meshcheriakova, a European Pravda jpurnalist (from Eindhoven, Netherlands) - Jewish pogrom of the 21st century: How the Amsterdam riots raised new questions for Europe. The actual "hunt" for Israelis began long before the football game. Advertisement:
Visiting fans were repeatedly attacked in various parts of the city as they biked or strolled. Some attackers targeted their victims specifically for their Jewish identity. The main events began though after the game.
When fans of Israel's Maccabi arrived in the city center by metro, they heard anti-Israel slogans and some objects were flying at them. Police escorted the fans to their hotel. Meanwhile, social media videos show that Jewish team supporters were ambushed and subjected to brutal attacks, with the police largely standing by.
The scale of violence that occurred on 7-8 November is shocking. Dutch police report 62 arrests and around 20-30 injured during the unrest on Thursday before and during the match. Five people were hospitalised, though rumours of missing persons were not confirmed.
The authorities eventually regained control in Amsterdam, partly by declaring an official state of emergency. Demonstrations were banned in the city and surrounding areas, and security around Jewish buildings was increased. Additionally, police received expanded powers for stop-and-search operations.
However, despite the state of emergency and the ban on gatherings, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists still assembled on Dam Square on Sunday morning, chanting demands to end violence in Gaza and "free Palestine." The police had to intervene and detained about a hundred of them. Protesters were placed on buses and taken to the outskirts of Amsterdam.
One protester was taken away by ambulance. Instead of a street conflict, a true war quickly broke out - an information war. Pro-Palestinian activists claim they were shocked by the biased Western media coverage of the conflict.
"They were burning Palestinian flags and shouting 'death to Arabs,'" said one protester. The incident allegedly began during a moment of silence at the Amsterdam stadium in honour of the victims of recent devastating floods in Spain. Witnesses claim that some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans disrupted this moment, shouting anti-Palestinian rhetoric and calling for the killing of Arabs.
Witnesses allege that it was the Israeli fans who chanted genocidal slogans. It must be acknowledged that at least some provocations did indeed occur. Nevertheless, most politicians broadly supported the Israelis, calling the events "antisemitic." Among others, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the violence.
The Amsterdam pogrom was not an isolated incident in Europe - attacks by pro-Palestinian activists on Israelis have happened before.
However, due to the scale of the violence, this moment may prove to be a turning point.
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