Amsterdam Pro-Palestine Rallies: Criticism, Antisemitism Claims & Notable Attendees

Amsterdam Grapples with Rising Tensions as Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations and Allegations of Antisemitism Clash

Amsterdam is facing a period of heightened tension following a series of demonstrations and clashes linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Recent events, including a football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, have ignited a divisive blame game, exposing deep-seated anxieties and accusations of both antisemitism and bias in the official response.

The immediate catalyst for the recent unrest was the Europa League match on November 7, 2024, between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Prior to the game, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema prohibited pro-Palestinian protests near the Johan Cruyff Arena, citing concerns about potential violence. This decision, however, drew criticism from some quarters, with accusations that it unfairly suppressed legitimate expression of political views.

Following the match, violence erupted. According to reports, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were ambushed and assaulted in the city center, while simultaneously, a group of Maccabi fans were recorded assaulting people and vandalizing property near Damrak. Seven people, including five Israelis, were hospitalized, and an estimated 20 to 30 individuals sustained minor injuries. Several local individuals involved in attacking Maccabi fans have since been given jail terms by an Amsterdam district court.

The attacks on Israeli fans were swiftly condemned as antisemitic by Mayor Halsema, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, King Willem-Alexander, and numerous international leaders. However, the failure to condemn actions by the Israeli fans – who were filmed pulling down Palestinian flags, chanting racist slogans, and vandalizing property – has fueled accusations of a one-sided response. Witnesses reported hearing chants such as “death to Arabs” and boasts about the Israeli army’s potential to “win” and “f**k the Arabs.”

The events have also sparked broader debate about the handling of protests and demonstrations in Amsterdam. On November 28, 2024, approximately 2,000 pro-Israel protesters gathered outside Amsterdam’s city hall after Mayor Halsema denied them the right to rally in Dam Square, reportedly due to security concerns. Jewish former politician Rob Oudkerk criticized the ban, stating, “This is how ‘never again’ becomes ‘yet again,’ by taking rights away from Jews bit by bit.” Several speakers voiced complaints about what they perceived as Halsema’s unwillingness to adequately protect Jewish citizens.

The city’s “security triangle” – comprising the mayor, the local chief of police, and Amsterdam’s chief public prosecutor – justified the ban by stating that the safety of the pro-Israel protesters could not be guaranteed following earlier antisemitic riots. Israeli officials reported that 10 people were injured during the November 7 violence, perpetrated by what they described as Arab and Muslim gangs against visiting and local fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Beyond the immediate aftermath of the football match, tensions have continued to simmer. A recent pro-Palestinian demonstration featured a United Nations rapporteur, while a counter-demonstration took place at the event’s entrance. Reports indicate a growing concern over what some describe as antisemitic propaganda being disseminated at public gatherings. A recent “Volkscongres” (People’s Congress) in Amsterdam, for example, has been described as a “festival of antisemitic propaganda” by De Telegraaf.

The situation in Amsterdam reflects a broader European sensitivity surrounding the term “antisemitism,” according to analysis from Foreign Analysis. This sensitivity, the report suggests, allows Israel to leverage accusations of antisemitism as a tool of political pressure. The clashes have reopened old wounds and ignited a divisive debate about freedom of expression, security, and the complexities of navigating deeply held political beliefs in a multicultural society.

The events have also led to scrutiny of the University of Amsterdam, with critics alleging that violent anti-Israel protests contributed to the university’s decision to cut ties with Hebrew University.