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Israel bars soldiers from going to the Netherlands after pro-genocide mob sparks street violence

Originally published: The Cradle on November 8, 2024 by The Cradle News Desk (more by The Cradle)  | (Posted Nov 09, 2024)
Empire, Human Rights, Inequality, WarEurope, Gaza, Israel, Middle East, Netherlands, PalestineNewswire

Israel’s army said on 8 November that soldiers are barred from traveling to the Netherlands after pro-Palestine Dutch football fans in Amsterdam attacked Israeli supporters of the Maccabi Tel Aviv team—some of who are soldiers in the military.

“In accordance with the assessment of the situation, it was decided to ban all IDF servicemen from flying to the Netherlands until further notice,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

“Exceptional requests will be examined individually,” the statement added.

Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, said via X on Friday that he “followed the news from Amsterdam with disgust” after the “completely unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis.”

I am in close contact with all those involved. Just now, in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I emphasized that the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called it a “horrifying incident,” with several other Israeli leaders and officials expressing outrage.

Thousands of Israelis are waiting to be evacuated from the country. Tel Aviv walked back a decision to send an Israeli army rescue mission. “It was decided that it is not necessary to send a professional rescue mission to the Netherlands,” said Netanyahu’s office. Efforts will instead focus on bringing Israelis back via civilian flights.

According to Amsterdam police, five people have been hospitalized and 62 arrested. The police said they have launched an extensive investigation into the acts of violence committed throughout that night.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said she is working to determine the full extent of the violence perpetrated on the Israelis, adding that the amount of people wounded or detained remains unclear.

The incident took place on 8 November, prior to a football match between Dutch team AFC Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, as part of the UEFA Europa League.

Several videos were posted on social media showing Dutch fans, some of Arab and Turkish descent, harassing or attacking Israeli fans.

“This is for the children, motherfucker,” a fan is heard telling an Israeli in one of the videos. “Free Palestine now, Free Palestine now. You want to kill kids?” Other similar videos emerged online.

One Israeli ended up in the Amsterdam canal after being chased. “Say free Palestine, and we’ll go,” one of the fans says, as seen in footage on social media. Others were reportedly thrown into the canal.

Israeli fans had been provoking people in the area with racial slurs and songs that included lyrics such as “no schools in Gaza because there are no children left” and “Let the IDF win to fuck the Arabs.” Some tore down Palestinian flags as well, prompting locals to retaliate.

The incident comes as pro-Palestinian sentiment in the world of football has been witnessing a surge.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans unfurled a massive “Free Palestine” banner before their team’s game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, as part of the UEFA Champions League. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said it was “unacceptable” and that he would demand “explanations” from the club.

UEFA said PSG will not face any “disciplinary” action “because the banner that was unfurled cannot be in this case considered provocative or insulting.”

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