Anna Joseph, a board member of Erev Rav, a Netherlands-based Jewish anti-Zionist group, blamed Israeli followers for violent incidents surrounding the Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv UEFA Europa League match on Nov. 7.
She criticized the portrayal of criticisms in opposition to Israel as anti-Semitic and challenged the Dutch authorities and media’s dealing with of the occasions.
Joseph additionally expressed concern over the Dutch authorities’ response, condemning the tendency to equate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism.
“Israel and Judaism are different concepts. Israel is a state encompassing various religions and ethnicities, while Judaism is a religion. Conflating the two endangers both Jews and supporters of Palestinian rights,” she stated.
According to Joseph, the violent incidents started when Maccabi followers arrived in Amsterdam. “Israeli followers broken property, tore down and burned Palestinian flags, assaulted a taxi driver, and chanted racist and pro-genocide slogans on public transportation,” she stated.
She famous that these incidents left Palestinians, Muslims and different minorities in Amsterdam feeling unsafe. Despite studies to the authorities, she claims no measures have been taken to stop the violence.
“The Dutch government and media framed violence initiated by Israeli fans as anti-Semitism against them, likening it to a pogrom. This was not a pogrom,” Joseph stated.
She accused the Dutch police of inaction and concentrating on Palestinian supporters reasonably than the disruptive followers, describing the method as a “double standard.”
Lack of Intervention
Joseph criticized Dutch police for what she considered as delayed and insufficient responses to Israeli followers’ actions. “If Dutch police had intervened early in the week to stop Maccabi fans from being violent, the escalation at the end of the week might have been avoided,” she asserted.
She stated that Dutch authorities detained Palestinian supporters reasonably than the people inflicting disruptions. “The police targeted people other than Maccabi fans with arrests. Many people are hurt and angry, seeing the government’s actions as biased,” she added.
Joseph challenged the notion that the Jewish group within the Netherlands is underneath menace from Palestinian supporters. “Our organization has not received any threats. No one I know feels unsafe or has experienced anti-Semitic acts from Palestinians or Arabs,” she stated.
Joseph shared that almost all anti-Semitic incidents within the Netherlands come from white Dutch people, recalling an incident the place a buddy was verbally attacked by two Dutch males with an anti-Semitic slur.
“Anti-Semitism in the Netherlands is usually perpetrated by white Dutch people,” she stated, calling the notion that Palestinians are accountable “false.” Joseph emphasised that she has all the time felt welcome at pro-Palestine demonstrations, which she described as inclusive and peaceable.
Media framing
She additionally criticized mainstream media for what she referred to as “distorted” portrayals of occasions, accusing them of selling a story that conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. “This is not Jewish propaganda however Zionist propaganda. Zionism is help for Israel, and there are efforts to silence criticism of Israel by framing it as anti-Semitic,” she argued.
Referring to laws in Germany that seeks to equate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, Joseph stated, “This tactic pressures rights movements and Jewish voices that disagree with Israel’s actions. Many Jews stand in solidarity with Palestinians, advocating for their rights and opposing Israel’s policies.”
She added that Israel and Judaism shouldn’t be conflated, explaining that this confusion threatens each Jewish communities and Palestinian rights advocates. “As Israel’s policies become more violent, global hate crimes against Jews rise. We saw this pattern in 2014 during Israel’s incursion into Gaza, and we’re witnessing it again as Gaza faces new assaults.”
Joseph referred to as on the Dutch authorities to reevaluate its stance on Israel if it goals to guard Jewish residents. “If the Netherlands wants to protect Jews, it must stop supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza,” she urged.
Reflecting on the risks of equating Judaism with Zionism, Joseph concluded, “When the Dutch government presents Israel and Judaism as synonymous, it endangers Jews. Our organization demands an end to Israel’s actions in Gaza, an end to Dutch arms support, and a clear distinction between religion and state.”
Fans raised tensions
In the lead-up to the match, Israeli fan teams clashed with Palestinian supporters, tearing down Palestinian flags, assaulting Arab taxi drivers, and chanting offensive slogans. Videos from the scene confirmed followers chanting, “There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left in Gaza,” throughout anti-Arab demonstrations close to the stadium.
Dutch police detained 63 people linked to the incidents earlier than and after the match.
Source: www.dailysabah.com