Anti-Semitic violence after Amsterdam soccer game prompts New York leaders to react

NEW YORK – New York’s political leaders strongly condemn antisemitic violence after a soccer match in Amsterdam Thursday evening.

Anti-Semitic rioters “actively sought out” supporters of Israel’s soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv, who were playing a match against Amsterdam team Ajax, “to attack and assault them,” according to authorities.

Five people were hospitalized and 62 were detained.

There were also incidents prior to the match. Macabbi fans marched through central Amsterdam in support of Israel. Bonfires were lit and some Palestinian flags were torn down.

Israel’s government said it was coordinating flights to bring Israeli citizens home from the Netherlands.

“This is a very dark moment for the city, of which I am deeply ashamed,” Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said at a press conference on Friday. “Anti-Semitic criminals attacked and assaulted visitors to our city in hit-and-runs.”

“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 Israel’s government “views the premeditated anti-Semitic attack against Israeli citizens with the utmost seriousness.”

“Totally unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with everyone 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 soccer fans in Amsterdam is pure evil and the images of the attack are eerily reminiscent of Kristallnacht. The failure to protect the fans must be investigated quickly and thoroughly. The resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world is completely unacceptable and must be strongly condemned ,” Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote on social media.

“The attacks against Jews taking place in Amsterdam are deeply disturbing and horrifying. We must do everything in our power to protect Jews in America and around the world,” New York Attorney General Letitia James posted on social media. “This anti-Semitism and violence must stop now.”