The mayhem on 7-8 November in Amsterdam caused global astonishment as the city was considered the most democratic and tolerant all over the world. However, a court was considering a ban on rallies and public actions in Amsterdam on Monday, with a heated debate taking place in the Dutch parliament this week.
The debate could affect the ruling coalition. The riots started after a football match between local AFC Ajax, hosting Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, in the Dutch capital. Victims of the violence were demanded to respond as to what nationality they belonged to, forcing them to shout “Free Palestine,” according to Dutch media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the violence to Kristallnacht, the mass riots on the night of 9-10 November 1938 in then Germany. Global media expressed concern about the ethnic confrontation between fans, but Dutch sources preferred to remain silent about the events in Amsterdam.
Europe has recently experienced an upsurge in anti-Semitism. While in some countries the perpetrators are brought to justice, things are somewhat different in the Netherlands. Media and politicians are divided in their opinions.
National-oriented publications and politicians, such as Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders demanded the immediate arrest of those who attacked the Maccabi fans, whereas liberal newspapers, which uphold democratic values, preferred to put the riots into the background.
Wilders has been fighting the influx of Muslims into the Netherlands for years, with the party even calling for a complete ban on the Islamic religion in the country. Marking the 20th anniversary of the murder of renowned film director Theo van Gogh on the streets of Amsterdam, the politician complained that he was forced to live under round-the-clock security.
Meanwhile, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema stated that many of the rioters were simply “unhappy with what is happening in Gaza.” Critics saw this as an excuse for blatant anti-Semites. MP Stephan van Baarle also accused Israeli fans of inciting hatred and provoking riots, presenting video evidence.
Amsterdam’s Muslim communities, however, were looking specifically for Jews, not just Maccabi fans or Israelis, to be targeted. Therefore, the attempt by some media to justify the pogroms or mitigate the guilt of the innocent raises questions. Political experts stress that today the radicals who organise mayhem are conventionally divided into two groups: “bad” and “good” ones. The former are the perpetrators of the riots who cause discontent, whereas the latter are those who are covered up by the concerned media and politicians, who use them for their own purposes.
Erik Kelly for Head-Post.com
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