Amsterdam Explodes with Violence Against Jews & Israelis: SWC Demands Action

SWC Calls on Dutch Authorities to Immediately Protect all Jewish Schools and Areas Frequented by Jews andIsraelis

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has called on Dutch authorities to immediately mobilize all necessary police and other state resourcesto patrol and protect all Jewish schools, synagogues, and other locations frequented by the Jewish community.

An explosion of violence spread across Amsterdam and Israelis and Jews were attacked on the streets, at tourist locations, and evenin their hotel rooms. At least ten people were injured and two are missing.

As shown in extensive video footage on social media, soccer fans approached people on the street, asked if they were Jewish orIsraeli, and then physically assaulted anyone suspected of being either. One video shows a limp body being kicked and beaten.

Simon Wiesenthal Center said that:

• The scenes on the streets of Amsterdam are reminiscent of 1890’s Russia or 1930’s Germany.
• Jews and Israelis are being literally hunted and beaten, while the police are completely absent.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center demands that:

• Every political and athletic leader in Europe, particularly representatives of soccer, must immediately condemn this violenthatred of Israelis which is indistinguishable from hatred of Jews.
• Dutch authorities must immediately protect all Jews and Israelis and arrest those involved with this Amsterdam pogrom.

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthalfor news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status atthe United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).