Anti-semitism rising with complacency of European politicians Expert opinions

The mass attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam, the Netherlands are a disturbing phenomenon for a Europe that claims to be tolerant, once again bringing the issue of anti-Semitism to the forefront.

According to eyewitnesses and Israeli media, groups of aggressive individuals, many armed with sharp objects, attacked the fans. Witnesses report numerous instances of beatings, people being thrown into canals, vandalism, and attempts at abductions. The attackers also stormed hotels where Israelis were staying. The number of wounded, injured, and abducted Jews continues rising. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered two planes to be sent to Amsterdam to bring the Israelis back.

He also called on Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schooff and local security forces to "act decisively and swiftly against the attackers and ensure the safety of Israeli citizens." What happened in Amsterdam? Why did such a strong surge of anti-Semitism occur there? Israeli experts expressed their opinions for Caliber.Az.

Editor-in-chief of the Russian-language Israeli TV channel "AVIV" Mark Gorin has said that the provocation in Amsterdam was orchestrated by immigrant groups arriving in Europe from the Middle East and Arab countries. 

"There is no doubt that this provocation was premeditated. It is entirely possible that there are also immigrants among the Dutch policemen who came from the aforementioned regions—I don’t rule that out," he said. 

“It is possible that this horrific, bloody pogrom was organised by individuals from countries at war with Israel. Moreover, I would say we are witnessing the consequences of a monstrous historical paradox: Europe, feeling shame over the Holocaust, embarked on a new humanitarian mission—actively accepting persecuted, destitute people from the East and Africa,” he noted.

Gorin said that the paradox is that all these people Europe welcomed have become a platform for anti-Semitism. 

“Israel is fighting against terrorism, rather than against Arabs or Muslims. It seems that not everyone understands this. This horrific event occurred just two days before the anniversary of Kristallnacht—the monstrous anti-Jewish pogrom in Germany in 1938. So, there may also be a chilling symbolic significance to this incident," the expert noted. 

He said that it would be justified for volunteer units to be formed in the Netherlands to protect Jews from such lawlessness, especially if the Dutch police remain inactive.

"Once again, I would like to emphasise that there is no anti-Muslim rhetoric or prejudice against people from Arab countries in my words—what happened is clearly terrorism, which finds a foothold and develops in countries where it is allowed to thrive, regardless of regions or continents. Many Dutch politicians have already apologised to Israel and the Jewish people, expressing their regret," he said.

“Moreover, I would note that Trump's victory is partly linked to the fact that pro-Hamas sentiments among Harris' electorate reached such a peak that ordinary Americans decided to choose more traditional and familiar values over supporting terrorists," Gorin said.

Meanwhile, honorary ambassador of the World Jewish Agency "Sokhnut" and political analyst Roman Gurevich has said that the pogrom against Jewish people in Amsterdam is an extremely concerning link in the chain of anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli events that have swept across Europe and the US.

"Unfortunately, that unique, peaceful atmosphere that exists in Baku, free of any anti-Semitism, is not found anywhere in the world. In Baku, there is no need to station armored vehicles near synagogues or to guard fans at sporting events in Baku to prevent something horrific," the political analyst emphasised. 

He noted that in different historical periods, the attitude toward Jews in Europe has varied, and even today, affluent Europeans have shelters ready in their estates to protect Jews.

"I've spoken with these people, and they are always ready to shelter their Jewish friends if the situation in Europe escalates into widespread anti-Semitic pogroms. The hypocrisy and duplicity of many global, including European, politicians are leading to a point where anti-Semitism and hatred toward Jews are sweeping across the world," Gurevich said. 

He noted that the peaceful, tolerant Baku is truly an oasis of calm and prosperity for Jews living in Azerbaijan, while the rest of the world is gripped by uncontrollable hatred toward the sons of Israel. 

“The UN secretary-general expresses condolences for the death of a Hamas representative, who, to the shock of many people around the world, was an employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The UN secretary-general offers condolences over Israel's elimination of this terrorist, calling him ‘friend’,” Gurevich said. 

He noted that unfortunately, the rise of anti-Semitism around the world is occurring with the complacency of European politicians and international organisations. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are simply refusing to intervene in this lawlessness. 

“This is happening because Europeans are trying to buy peace and quiet for themselves. They fail to realise that it is impossible to appease terrorists, and Israel is simply standing on the front lines in defense against this evil. The willingness of Europeans to sacrifice the Jewish population of Europe for the sake of their own peace will, in the end, lead to monstrous problems for them," he added.