Canadians horrified after ‘Jews were hunted down and beaten’ in Amsterdam

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is deeply concerned about the attacks on Jews supporting the Israel soccer team in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam police have made more than 60 arrests following violence in the Dutch capital last night that broke out after a soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam. Police are reported to have said on Friday they had launched “a major investigation into multiple violent incidents”. Supporters of the Israeli football club were in the city to support their team as it played Ajax Amsterdam.

In a post on X late Thursday, the CIJA said: “This the disturbing reality of Jewish life in 2024. And if nothing is done to address the scourge of antisemitism targeting our community, it won’t be long before Amsterdam becomes Montreal or Toronto following one of the usual weekly pro-terror demonstrations.”

The post includes video of a young Israeli man being beaten unconscious by a crowd of masked men.

Last month, the CJIA called on Toronto’s mayor to make a concerted effort to ensure Toronto jews are safe. The organization urged Mayor Olivia Chow “to work with the provincial government to develop an actionable plan to make this city safe for Jews once and for all.

“To all in Canada bemoaning the horrific violence in Amsterdam last night, where Jews were hunted down and beaten in a modern day pogrom; please wake up!” wrote Michael Levitt on X this morning. Levitt is the president and CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, a former York Centre MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

“This terrifying display is but a stones throw from the vile scenes of Jew hatred we’ve witnessed here at home. Whether in Amsterdam, Toronto or Montreal, when the extremist mobs scream they want to ‘Globalize the Intifada, they mean it,” he continued.

Melissa Lantsman, MP for Thornhill, Ont. and Liberal Deputy Leader expressed her dismay in a post on X: “The scenes from the streets of Amsterdam tonight are absolutely horrific. This is what ‘globalize the intifada’ looks like. Don’t look the other way. Watch the footage and stand up against this lawless mob there and everywhere.”

The prime minister has posted his reaction to events in Amsterdam. Justin Trudeau wrote on X today: “The news out of Amsterdam last night is horrifying. This is a dark moment for our world — and one we have seen before. My heart goes out to the victims, and the entire Jewish community today. Canada condemns this disgusting antisemitism.”

Also on X, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre reposted Melissa Lantsman’s tweet and called the attacks in Amsterdam “abhorrent.”

He went on to write: “Jews are being hunted in Europe days before the anniversary of Kristallnacht. Never again is now.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched two rescue planes to Amsterdam following the “very violent incident against Israeli citizens”. 

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