Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a violent antisemitic attack against Israelis that occurred in Amsterdam. He emphasized that such attacks not only target Israel but also endanger the entire world. Geert Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom, criticized Dutch authorities for not arresting the perpetrators of the attack. The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, acknowledged the violence as an eruption of antisemitism that the city had hoped never to see again.
New details have emerged about the organized antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam, a city with a history of collaboration with the Nazis during World War Two. Israeli soccer fans took refuge in a casino where a security guard had sent messages in an app group seeking to harm Israelis. Holland Casino promptly took action, stating that there is no place for violence, discrimination, or antisemitism within their organization. Rabbi Dovi Pinkovitch and volunteers from the Chabad House in Amsterdam, along with an Israeli Druze man, played a crucial role in aiding the victims of the attack.
Witnesses reported instances where local taxis took Israelis toward the center of violent clashes instead of leading them to safety. Rabbi Pinkovitch mobilized local Jews and Israelis living in Amsterdam to evacuate Israelis stuck in the streets, ensuring their safety. A Druze man named Melchem Assad provided vital warnings to Israelis, advising them to remove identifying symbols and disperse. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands expressed regret over the failure to protect the Jewish community, acknowledging the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the Jewish population in the country.
Dutch police forces have been criticized for their perceived inaction during the attacks, with reports suggesting that Jewish targets under threat of terrorist attacks may not be properly protected. Witnesses and victims alleged that police remained passive in the face of Muslim aggressors, with minimal arrests made during the violence. Critics pointed out that the alleged perpetrators were not accurately identified in official statements, with the mayor’s office referring to them as “scooter youths” instead of identifying their Muslim and Moroccan background.
The attacks in Amsterdam have raised concerns about rising antisemitism and the safety of Jewish communities in Europe. Netanyahu stressed the need for urgent action against antisemitic violence, emphasizing that such attacks have far-reaching consequences beyond Israel. The Israeli government and local organizations have been praised for their efforts to assist victims and provide safety in the face of anti-Jewish attacks. Moving forward, it is essential for authorities to address the root causes of antisemitism and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities.
