'Way too far': Amsterdam in shock after 'frightening' violence

Sun Nov 10 10:07:58 UTC 2024: ## Amsterdam Jewish Quarter Shocked by Violence Following Maccabi Tel Aviv Match

**AMSTERDAM** – The Jewish community in Amsterdam’s Jodenbuurt is reeling after a wave of violence targeted at Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters following a football match against Ajax. The attacks, which left five supporters hospitalized, have sparked outrage and fear within the community, with residents expressing shock and dismay over the events.

The violence erupted just days after a rise in anti-Semitism globally, linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. One T-shirt seller at a local market, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, spoke of the shame he felt for the city. “It’s painful, it’s frightening, and it’s a shame,” he said. “Again, as if history is repeating itself, Jews are attacked just because of the fact they are Jews.”

He recalled a friend who was attacked with his 17-year-old son after the match, emphasizing that while criticism of Israel is warranted, violence against innocent people is never acceptable.

Shopper Edit Tuboly, 61, echoed these sentiments. “What happened in Amsterdam has gone too far, way too far,” she said, despite her opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza.

The city’s Mayor, Femke Halsema, has implemented special security measures to restore calm, including a ban on demonstrations for three days. The Jewish community, which has historically viewed Amsterdam as a safe haven, is shaken by the events.

The CJO Jewish Association called the violence a “pogrom” and expressed shame for the Netherlands, while Antizionist Jewish Collective Erev Rav’s leader, Joana Cavaco, claimed Maccabi fans provoked the attacks with provocative slogans and flag-tearing.

However, the market stall holder expressed the collective feeling of the Jewish community: “We thought so far that Amsterdam or Holland were spared from such extreme violence targeted against Jews.”

The attacks have cast a shadow over Amsterdam, a city renowned for its tolerance and historical significance as a refuge for Jews. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the need for continued vigilance against anti-Semitism.