by Lorenzo Rossi
Amsterdam, a city symbol of tolerance and openness, has been the scene of events that stain its reputation in the eyes of the world. Clashes between ultras are a constant feature of many football teams but here there is the aggravating circumstance of racial hatred. After the football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, won by the hosts 5-0, the streets of the center were the scene of unprecedented violence against Israeli fans. An apparently pro-Palestinian crowd attacked Maccabi supporters, leaving behind ten people injured and over fifty arrested.
Dutch Prime Minister Dirk Schoof expressed deep shame at what happened, describing the attacks as anti-Semitic acts and promising that those responsible will be prosecuted. However, his words, however sincere, cannot erase the shame that weighs on the city. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema said: “Yesterday we witnessed an outbreak of anti-Semitism in Amsterdam the likes of which we hoped to never see again.” Words that resonate like an admission of collective guilt. We cannot ignore the historical weight of such events. The Dutch King, Willem-Alexander, compared the attacks to his country’s failure to protect Jews during the Holocaust, saying: “We failed the Jewish community of the Netherlands during the Second World War, and last night we failed Still”. An admission that should make you think deeply.
Anti-Semitism, this ancient evil, seems to find new forms and justifications in the current context. Tensions in the Middle East cannot and must not be a pretext for acts of violence against innocent individuals in Europe. As the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, underlined: «Hunting the Jews does not mean defending the Palestinian people. There is no room for anti-Semitism in Europe.” It is disturbing to observe how, in an era in which we boast of having overcome the horrors of the past, certain ghosts return to manifest themselves with such virulence. The images spread on the web, showing people with covered faces and Palestinian flags attacking Israeli fans, are a warning. We cannot allow hatred to creep into our societies, disguised as legitimate political protest.
The Dutch authorities have promised decisive action. But promises are not enough. A deep and collective reflection is needed on how to prevent and combat anti-Semitism in all its forms. We cannot allow the streets of our cities to become the scene of manhunts based on racial or religious hatred. The events in Amsterdam are yet another wake-up call.
