The Missed Warnings Before the Amsterdam Attacks on Israeli Fans

The recent violent assaults on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Amsterdam have been portrayed as a clear example of antisemitic violence. Israeli supporters in the Dutch capital were confronted, harassed, and battered by masked groups yelling anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian slogans. But as the narrative of “antisemitic hit-and-run squads” sweeps global media outlets, it’s essential to pause and ask: have we seen the full picture, or merely a one-sided interpretation that misses the underlying dynamics?

Missed Warnings and the Failure of Preparation

Israeli authorities recognised an elevated risk of violence in Amsterdam well before the incidents unfolded. According to a report from Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry, there were clear indications of organised unrest brewing online, including posts encouraging a “direct clash” with Israeli security forces and Mossad. The ministry had alerted the Foreign Ministry and National Security Council, yet no warning was issued to the 3,000 fans travelling to Amsterdam.

Moreover, Israeli security officials had urged Dutch authorities to bolster security measures at critical sites—the stadium, hotels, and main transport hubs—where risks were high. Despite these requests, security remained insufficient, leaving fans vulnerable to sudden, organised attacks.

This failure to act on specific intelligence raises questions not just about the Dutch authorities’ preparedness but also the lack of intervention from Israeli officials, who could have warned their citizens directly. The question is: were these warnings swept aside due to political sensitivity, or were they deemed insufficiently credible? Either way, the failure to respond to these warnings has left many wondering if governments underestimated the complexity of the situation.

The Media’s Role: Simplifying a Complex Story

As scenes of violence began to circulate, international media quickly labelled the incidents “antisemitic attacks.” US President Joe Biden and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy were among the first to denounce the violence, highlighting the need to combat antisemitism globally. Their statements, while expressing rightful outrage over the targeting of Jewish individuals, reflect a media-driven narrative that may overlook the origins of the unrest. By labelling the incidents solely as antisemitic violence, global coverage risks ignoring the broader tensions tied to the Israel-Palestine conflict, which often extend beyond simple binaries.

The media’s reactionary approach sensationalises antisemitic motives while overlooking the systemic flaws that enabled these attacks. Antisemitism is indeed a scourge to be condemned. But in these events, it is only one part of a complex mix of motivations and failures. By framing this as an isolated incident of hate, global media miss the deeper societal and political dynamics that could have been foreseen and prevented.

Context Matters: Recognising Occupied Palestine and the Larger Conflict

The setting of these attacks is crucial: Amsterdam, a city long considered a tolerant and safe space, especially for Jewish communities. The Ajax soccer club itself has a deep-rooted connection to Amsterdam’s Jewish heritage, and Ajax supporters often chant “Jews” as a mark of pride and solidarity. Yet, underlying this setting is a global tension: Israel’s relationship with Palestinian territories, seen by many as an ongoing occupation, continues to fuel discord across international communities.

The Diaspora Affairs Ministry’s advisory encouraged protesters to avoid carrying Palestinian flags to “de-emphasise Palestinian affiliations,” a sign that organisers might have been aware of the potential for political backlash if the narrative of these attacks tied too strongly to the Israel-Palestine conflict. But even this caution could not prevent the protests from escalating into violent confrontations with recognisable Jewish and Israeli individuals as targets.

Political Blind Spots and the Road Ahead

In addressing the incident, authorities need to understand the full range of causes behind this violence and acknowledge the role of inadequate preemptive measures. Governments should be reminded that casting blame solely on antisemitism ignores the larger historical and political realities that underpin such events. Doing so could prevent future oversights.

This incident highlights a pattern of governmental and media responses that favour politically safe narratives over balanced reporting. If international authorities and news outlets continue to simplify such incidents without considering the broader motivations, we risk deepening divides and ignoring critical security lapses.

The events in Amsterdam should prompt a deeper look at how such violence unfolds and the ways governments and media alike can respond with a more nuanced, preventive approach. The world deserves the full story, not just a digestible headline.