Horrifying and disturbing scenes could be seen in Amsterdam on Friday night. After the game against Ajax Amsterdam There were riots in the city. fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv are said to have been chased through the streets. “There will be a pogrom in Europe in 2024,” commented the Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon on X. The Dutch police initially commented very cautiously on the events.
57 people were temporarily arrested and ten were injured.
It is still unclear whether Ajax Amsterdam fans were also involved in the riots. The fact is that Ajax itself does that Image of a Jewish club has. Around 80,000 Jews lived in Amsterdam until the Second World War; the old Ajax stadium was in a district with a high Jewish population. So it was only natural that many Jews also attended Ajax games and helped shape the club’s development.
Jewish traditions
Even though Ajax was not a Jewish sports club, the fans ensured that Jewish traditions were preserved. Symbols like the Star of David are still seen in the stands. Ajax fans were repeatedly insulted with anti-Semitic insults by opposing supporters. Some call themselves “super Jews,” primarily to provoke opposing fans. Former club president Michel von Praag once said: “Ajax is not a Jewish club. These fans are as much Jews as I am Chinese.”
In an interview with Der Spiegel, the Jewish journalist Hans Knoop said: “90 percent of Ajax fans don’t even know where Israel is. When they say ‘Jews! Jews!’ or ‘Super Jews!’ They’re all about cheering on their team – nothing else.” And the opposing fans aren’t necessarily anti-Semitic, but they are against Ajax: “And if Ajax are Jews, then they must be against Jews.”