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(JNS) I am horrified and outraged by the antisemitic attacks against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam.
The events in Amsterdam last week mark a dark moment for European Jewry and demand our immediate attention. Jews were beaten, chased, hit by cars, stabbed and assaulted.
What makes this incident particularly haunting is its timing—mere days before the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass.” In November 1938, Europe watched as synagogues burned and Jewish businesses were destroyed. Last week, we saw Jewish soccer fans hunted through the streets of Amsterdam, forced to shelter in place and requiring planes from Israel to be sent to rescue them.
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On the night of November 7, curiously only two days shy of the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Europe was the scene of a fresh pogrom in which hundreds of antisemites targeted Jews for pre-meditated,… pic.twitter.com/9w5TjNnmUa
— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) November 14, 2024
This is not merely a security incident. It is a warning sign that demands immediate action. When Jews require emergency flights to escape European cities in 2024, we must acknowledge that antisemitism has reached a crisis point that requires decisive action.
As CEO of Aish, I call on European leaders to move beyond condemnations to concrete action. The arrest of 62 perpetrators was a start, but we need comprehensive strategies to combat this rising tide of hatred. The safety of Jewish communities must be non-negotiable in any democratic society.
Everything looks as well-organized actions and deliberate planning.
Tonight in Amsterdam, clashes are taking place. Here a tram is set on fire to cries of “Kankerjoden!”: “Jewish cancer”. https://t.co/l1IeBobJpD
— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) November 12, 2024
These attacks continue to happen throughout the Western world, and they are only growing in intensity. Among the recent incidents, a Jewish man was slashed in the face in Brooklyn, N.Y.; a large protest threatened Jews in Bergenfield, N.J.; and masked men attacked Jewish students at DePaul University in Chicago. The list goes on, but the attacks in Amsterdam showed a new level of attack in their widespread nature. The images of individuals being purposely run into by cars, stabbed and repeatedly assaulted, as well as their Israeli flags, soccer scarves and uniforms being ripped away while they were subjected to antisemitic slurs, showed that we are quickly approaching darker times reminiscent of some of the horrors of European history.
As a rabbi and a Jewish leader, I grapple with a sense of déjà vu. We must all heed the warning of history. Never again means taking action now, before it’s too late.
Remember, they go after Jews first, then they turn on everyone else! https://t.co/sjUGwd7XqK
— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) November 11, 2024
These events emphasize the growing need for Jews to consider aliyah, not only in response to this surge in antisemitism but also because there is an urgent need to build a better society in Israel, as we are seeing more and more that it is the only safe haven for the Jews.
What happened in Amsterdam serves as a stark validation of these concerns. We need a strong and vibrant Israel, and we need Jews from around the world to not only support Israel by sending donations but by sending themselves. Israel is the place where all Jews can freely express their Jewish identity without fear of persecution and where we can build together a better future for our people.
Dutch Police are trying to make up for their terrible failure during the Muslim orchestrated pogrom against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam so they arrested pro-Palestinian demonstrators today. @Iamsterdam @Israel @MaccabiTLVFC @AFCAjax #Muslims #palestinians #JewHunt… https://t.co/sxAvoHkqm8
— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) November 10, 2024
The existence of Israel should not mean that Jews must fear to live in the Diaspora. We have the right to live safely and proudly in any country we choose. The responsibility lies with governments and societies to combat antisemitism vigorously and protect their Jewish citizens.
I commend the Dutch authorities’s swift response in condemning the attacks and launching investigations. Yet, more needs to be done. We need comprehensive educational programs to combat antisemitism, increased security measures for Jewish institutions and a zero-tolerance policy for hate crimes. Some politicians have even demanded that perpetrators of hate crimes be deported, as some of these crimes in Europe are being committed by migrant asylum seekers, refugees who came from other wartorn countries and often brought their prejudices and hate with them. The violence that was perpetrated against them in their home countries they are now perpetrating against Jews—and that is unacceptable.
To our Jewish family in Amsterdam and across Europe: Know that you are not alone. The global Jewish community stands with you, and we will continue to advocate for your safety and right to live openly as Jews without fear. We must stand firm in Israel and in our current homes, proud of our heritage and unafraid to display our identity.
To our non-Jewish allies, we call upon you to stand with us against this tide of hatred. Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem; it’s a societal one. When Jews are attacked for their identity, the very fabric of a free and open society is threatened.
Let us draw strength from our history of resilience. We have faced darker times and emerged stronger. Let the lights of our soon-to-be-kindled Chanukah menorahs serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that light will always triumph over darkness.
The path forward is clear: education, solidarity and an unwavering commitment to combating hate in all its forms. From Amsterdam to Jerusalem, let us work together to build a world where such attacks become nothing more than a distant memory.
Rabbi Steven Burg is CEO of Aish. He serves on the board of governors of the Jewish Agency as an executive board member of the Rabbinical Council of America. Prior to Aish, he was eastern director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, where he oversaw the Museum of Tolerance in New York City and contributed to the center’s fight against antisemitism.
