This Video of Celebrations in Amsterdam Has No Relation to the Latest Clashes
The Claim
The Dutch celebrate after teaching Israeli Jews a lesson they will never forget.
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In the aftermath of the clashes that erupted in Amsterdam between pro-Palestinians and supporters of the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, a video showing people celebrating and waving Palestinian flags went viral on X claiming that it happened after people won over the pro-Israelis in the clashes.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral claim and found it to be misleading. The video is outdated and has no relation to the latest tensions in Amsterdam.
Celebrations in an Event in Amsterdam With a Palestinian Photojournalist
The video shows the people of Amsterdam celebrating with the Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza who fled the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on Gaza.
The viral video could be found on Azaiza’s Instagram page, published on May 25.
In an event organized by the World Press Photo, Azaiza along with two other photojournalists explained press freedom in their briefing part. He stressed how photojournalism is important in upholding democratic principles and holding power to account, sharing his experience in Gaza.
World Press Photo shared photos of Azaiza speaking in the event on their Facebook page, documenting the event.
More Than 60 Arrested in Amsterdam
After the clashes between Israeli Maccabi supporters and pro-Palestinians erupted in Amsterdam on Thursday, the police arrested 62 people describing what happened as “hateful antisemitic violence.”
Four suspects remained detained on Saturday on suspicion of violent acts, including two minors, while 40 people had been fined for public disturbance and 10 for offenses including vandalism.
The police said that there was no evidence of kidnappings or hostage takings but they are still probing reports.
Violence in Amsterdam Described as Antisemitic
The mayor of Amsterdam described the violence as “hit and run” attacks and an outburst of antisemitism, stressing that Jewish culture in the city has been deeply threatened.
The office of Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu described what happened as a “planned antisemitic attack against Israeli citizens,” comparing the clashes to Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” a Nazi campaign perpetrated on Germany’s Jewish population in 1938 that resulted in the murder of an estimated 91 Jews.
However, Amsterdam's police chief confirmed that the clashes were started by the Maccabi fans when they tore down a Palestinian flag from the facade of a building in the city center and shouted insulting words at Palestine.
Furthermore, a social media video verified by Reuters showed Maccabi fans setting off flares and chanting “Olé, olé, let the IDF win,” with threatening insulting words directed at the Arabs. These events were followed by “fights on both sides,” according to Amsterdam's police chief.
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