Several arrests Attacks on Jews in Berlin, Amsterdam and Antwerp

There were renewed riots in Amsterdam, in Antwerp the police have to protect the Jewish quarter and German state security is investigating a TuS Makkabi Berlin match.

The riots on the sidelines of the Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch capital on Thursday, November 7, are just one chapter of massive incitement against Jews in Europe.

Only four days after the violent attacks against Israeli football fans, there were renewed riots in Amsterdam yesterday, Monday. At the same time, five people were arrested in Antwerp, Belgium, when a call was made for a "Jewish yacht". And in Germany, state security is investigating anti-Semitic abuse and threats against Jewish youth footballers in Berlin.

But first things first: According to the police, dozens of mainly young men rioted in the west of Amsterdam on November 11. They lit fireworks and threw them at cars. A streetcar went up in flames, the police reported on X. The mobile task force cleared the square.

Anti-Semitic incitement in Amsterdam and Antwerp

The mob shouted "Kanker Joden", i.e. "Crab Jews" - according to the "Jerusalem Post" an equivalent to "Down with the Jews". There were no injuries, but over 50 people are said to have been arrested. Demonstrations are banned in the Netherlands for the next three days in order to maintain public order.

Anti-Semitic incitement is also a problem in Antwerp in neighboring Belgium: there were calls for a "Jodenjacht" on social networks at the weekend. People were asked to come to the Jewish quarter near Harmoniepark on November 11.

There have recently been several attacks on Jews in Antwerp. The police were therefore on the move in the neighborhood from Sunday, writes "De Morgen": Five people had been arrested for a short time. They were released again on Sunday. The police want to continue to monitor the situation.

Players spat on and chased in Berlin

Attacks are also said to have occurred in Berlin on Thursday, prompting the German state security to be called in. The scene was the game of a youth team of the Jewish club TuS Makkabi Berlin at DJK Schwarz-Weiss Neukölln.

A group, apparently armed with sticks and knives, is said to have insulted the Makkabi players in an anti-Semitic manner, according to the Berlin police. A physical altercation is also said to have taken place. Players are said to have been spat at and chased after the match.

Representatives of Schwarz-Weiss Neukölln told the Berlin newspaper "Tagesspiegel" that the attacks had come from the stands: "If it is clear that one of the players was involved in anti-Semitic remarks, it is clear that he is no longer with the club tonight," the club said.

From the professionals to the amateurs

According to the police, Israeli fans in the Netherlands were targeted on the day of the Berlin incident. A total of 20 to 30 people were injured, most of them slightly. Pro-Palestinian youths on small motorcycles had chased and abused the Israelis.

At the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid, a large banner with the inscription "Free Palestine" was rolled out with a map on which the state of Israel was missing.

"There has been a new wave since the unspeakable attack," said Maccabi Germany President Meyer about the excesses in the stadiums and on the pitches. "The professionals are leading by example, so we shouldn't be surprised when it spreads to the amateur sector."

With material from dpa.