Israel’s portrayal of violence between Amsterdam locals and Maccabi followers final yr led to a debate on anti-Islam and immigration points.
Violence between Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters and Amsterdam locals in November 2024 led to heated debate throughout the Netherlands. What began as road clashes rapidly escalated when Israeli officers labelled the assaults “anti-Semitic” and drew Holocaust comparisons.
The incident turned a rallying level for numerous teams. Dutch Zionist organisations backed Israel’s narrative, whereas others used the occasions to push anti-immigration views. Some questioned whether or not a soccer confrontation was being manipulated for political achieve.
Al Jazeera correspondent Step Vaessen speaks to all events concerned, revealing how totally different sides formed the story. By way of interviews with soccer followers, residents and specialists, she reveals how one night time of violence uncovered deeper cultural tensions and reshaped neighborhood relations in polarised Dutch society.
