A group of Israeli football fans were brutally attacked in Amsterdam recently, sparking protests and strong reactions from various leaders. An Austrian bishop described the incident as a deeply alarming sign and a planned antisemitic attack.

The attack targeted Israeli fans following a football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and home team Ajax. At least ten youths on scooters assaulted the Israeli fans verbally and physically.

Salzburg Archbishop Franz Lackner, head of the Austrian bishops’ conference, condemned the incident as parallel to Kristallnacht, the disreputable massacre of Jews in Nazi Germany. Such acts of antisemitism are considered “the darkest and most shameful days of our history,” he expressed. Further, he asserted that there is no place in society for any ideology that justifies violence against Jews, and bishop Lackner called to pray for peace in Israel and Palestine.

According to data released by the US-based Anti-Defamation League Center for Extremism, antisemitic assaults and incidents have increased since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and according to their data, anti-Semitic incidents increased by more than 200% in the first 100 daysthe start of the conflict.

Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, characterized the violence as an “outbreak of anti-Semitism”. At the same time, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called this attack “unacceptable” and promised that the offenders would be arrested and punished.

In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government arranged for special flights to evacuate Jewish residents safely from Amsterdam. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the incident as an “antisemitic massacre”, and Dutch King Willem-Alexander reportedly called Herzog to apologize for the incident.

“I feel also the shame which every Amsterdammer has to feel because again as if history is repeating itself, Jews are attacked just because of the fact they are Jews,” said a 58-year-old T-shirt vendor.

While many condemnations were raised all over Europe, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen expressed her view upon this incident that antisemitism has absolutely no place in Europe and pointed out that the commission is determined to fight it and fight all forms of hatred. Anti-Semitism has absolutely. While stating about the incident, Italian President Meloni said, “Pervasive antisemitism is both unacceptable and alarming, and it is our duty to ensure full safety for citizens of the Jewish faith.”

Photo credit: ©Reuters, A woman wrapped in an Israel flag stands outside the place where mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema attends a press conference following the violence targeting fans of an Israeli soccer team, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, November 8