Dutch Court Hands Down Sentences in Assault on Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands — Dutch courts have handed down the initial convictions related to a violent assault on supporters of the Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam. The sentencing on Tuesday follows an incident that erupted after a Europa League soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Amsterdam-based Ajax on November 7. The confrontation led to a swath of arrests and charges, with sentences for the five convicted individuals ranging from community service to six months behind bars.

Among those sentenced was 19-year-old Lucas D., who appeared in court and received a sentence of 100 hours of community service. The court identified him as part of a social media group that incited violence and convicted him after he was seen throwing stones at a police vehicle. The remaining defendants chose to forego their court appearances, a move attributed by their attorneys to the excessive media scrutiny surrounding the case.

The most severe punishment was allotted to 32-year-old Sefa A., a local barber, who was sentenced to six months in prison. He was conclusively identified from security footage at the scene. During the trial, Sefa A.’s legal defense contended that public comments made by a Dutch political figure might have influenced the legal proceedings against him, although this claim was dismissed by the judges.

Another individual, 24-year-old Omutkan A., faced the law for physically assaulting three Israeli nationals and was sentenced to one month in prison. The evidence against him included violent text messages and he was convicted for physically kicking a supporter and forcefully stealing a scarf.

Rashid O., aged 26, was sentenced to ten weeks in jail for his role in inciting violence against Jews through social media posts. His online messages included abhorrent content expressing a desire to physically harm Jews, which played a significant role in the court’s decision.

The attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were not random but appeared to stem from coordinated efforts by groups who targeted various locations in Amsterdam following the soccer match. Several areas experienced chaos as mob attacks unfolded, with videos surfacing online of assailants, some masked and others brandishing Palestinian flags, violently targeting Israeli fans.

Authorities also reported attempts by attackers to break into hotels where Israelis were staying, further escalating the severity of the incidents. In response to the mounting violence, Israeli authorities issued travel advisories urging their nationals in Amsterdam to avoid public displays of Israeli or Jewish symbols, and to stay indoors.

The directives, originally stringent, were later revised to allow for movement to the airport, suggesting a de-escalation of the immediate threats. This series of events has underscored ongoing concerns about anti-Semitic violence in Europe, triggering a diplomatic dialogue on ensuring the safety of international visitors during high-tension events such as international soccer matches.