Attack on Israeli Citizens in Amsterdam, Netherlands; US Condemns

Deborah Lipstadt, the US Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism, condemned the attacks on supporters of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday night, November 8. Ms. Lipstadt wrote on social media platform 'X': 'I am horrified by the attacks tonight in Amsterdam, which are terrifyingly reminiscent of a classic massacre. I am also deeply saddened by how long the reported attacks lasted, and I urge the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the security forces' intervention and how these hateful attacks occurred.' She noted: 'This incident occurred two days before the bitter anniversary of Kristallnacht in 1938, when the Nazis began the genocide of Jews across Germany.' According to the 'Times of Israel', Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were attacked in the streets of Amsterdam after their team lost to the local Ajax club. The report states that the attackers wore masks, and some carried Palestinian flags and shouted 'Free Palestine'. The newspaper Maariv reported that Maccabi fans claimed the attacks were premeditated. In this context, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, citing Dutch officials, announced that 10 Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were injured, and the severity of their injuries is still unclear. There is also no news about the status of two Israeli citizens. According to the 'Walla' website, one of the missing individuals is 33-year-old Guy Avidor, an Israeli of Bulgarian descent who traveled from London to watch the football match. The Israeli Foreign Ministry also urged its citizens not to leave their hotels. The ministry further stated that the 'horrific scenes' in Amsterdam reflect 'the darkest history of Europe'. The Israeli National Security Council also issued a statement urging those in public to refrain from displaying any Israeli or Jewish symbols. Meanwhile, the office of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, announced that he has requested the dispatch of two planes to Amsterdam to bring back citizens of his country who were attacked. According to the 'Jerusalem Post', the country's airlines announced that they would increase their flights to repatriate Israeli citizens. The report states that Mr. Netanyahu, in a call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, demanded decisive and swift action against the attackers and assurance of the safety and security of Israeli citizens. Meanwhile, the Dutch Prime Minister, after speaking with Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that he was horrified by the 'unacceptable and antisemitic' attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam. He emphasized that the attackers would be pursued. Reports indicate that after the violence on Thursday night in Amsterdam, the situation in the city has calmed down. In this context, the Israeli army announced that following the violent attacks on Thursday night against Israeli fans, it is preparing to 'immediately carry out a rescue mission'. The Israeli army stated that this mission would involve sending rescue and medical teams. In this regard, Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, called on the organization to immediately condemn these violent attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters on social media. He wrote: 'This is the true face of the same radical terrorism we are fighting against. The Western world must wake up.' Mr. Danon also urged Dutch officials to take decisive action against terrorism. Additionally, Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's Minister of National Security, stated that his country's officials are cooperating with their Dutch counterparts to 'rescue Israeli citizens' and investigate the matter. He described the Amsterdam attacks as 'a warning sign for all European countries against radical Muslim violence'. Itamar Ben Gvir warned: 'Those who turn a blind eye to Islamic terrorism in the Middle East will face it within Europe and the West.' He said: 'Today the victims were Israelis; tomorrow it may be Europeans.'