Chants, Chains, and Selective Outrage: Unpacking the Amsterdam Riot

Israeli football fans, far from passive victims, tore down flags, chanted incendiary slogans, and provoked violence, facts muted in mainstream Western media coverage. Here’s what really happened.

In the late hours of November 7, 2024, the serene canals and bustling streets of Amsterdam became the epicentre of chaos as fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv clashed with locals and pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The city, known for its historical tolerance and cosmopolitan spirit, found itself grappling with violence that echoed far beyond the realm of football rivalries.

VIDEO: Here is a video showing members of an Israeli fan club climbing up a building in Amsterdam to tear down a Palestinian flag. [Source: X]

Initial Reports and Official Reactions

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof swiftly condemned the violence, framing the events as “antisemitic attacks” on Israeli citizens. He described the situation as “unacceptable,” and expressed his resolve to ensure the perpetrators would be prosecuted. Meanwhile, Amsterdam’s mayor emphasized the efforts to maintain calm amidst the violence, despite the evident fractures that emerged between police interventions and public perception.

However, as the reports unfolded, the early headlines from prominent outlets, such as the BBC, painted a picture of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans as victims. The BBC’s coverage, under the headline “Israeli football fans attacked in Amsterdam,” set a tone that aligned with widespread Western media narratives supporting Israel. The article detailed arrests, injuries, and the Dutch government’s assurances to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that justice would be served. Yet, tucked at the bottom of the report was an essential caveat: “The BBC has not yet verified social media footage from yesterday, but we are working on it.” This statement underscored a key flaw in rapid reporting—headlines framing narratives before the full truth is confirmed.

British media framing: Screenshot highlights how major UK outlets, including BBC, The Guardian, and The Telegraph, predominantly report on the Amsterdam incident as an 'attack on Israeli football fans,' despite verified information indicating that the Israeli supporters were the initial instigators of the violence.

Unveiling the Ground Truth: Eyewitnesses and Contradictory Footage