Dutch authorities report that young people coordinated the attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam using messaging apps mere hours before the game, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In the wake of the assault, which was condemned as antisemitic by officials in Amsterdam, Israel, and across Europe, five people required hospital care, and authorities detained more than 60 people before and after the incident.
Since the onset of the Gaza conflict, Europe has seen a spike in antisemitic acts, including hate speech, vandalism, and violence. These rising tensions were evident in Amsterdam as Thursday evening’s match approached, pitting the Dutch team Ajax against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The Journal reported that a pro-Palestinian WhatsApp group chat initiated a call for a “Jew Hunt” on Thursday.
“They knew everything,” said 30-year-old Maccabi fan Shachar Bitton. “They knew exactly where we stayed. They knew exactly which hotels, which street we were going to take. It was all well-organized, well-prepared.”
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a statement describing the incident as “horrifying” and “of utmost gravity.” He urged the Dutch government to take “vigorous and swift action” against those responsible.
{Matzav.com}
BiBi: “He urged the Dutch government to take “vigorous and swift action” against those responsible.”
Don’t hold your breath…