Israeli authorities are urging the Netherlands to lift a ban on Israeli football fans attending Hapoel Beer-Sheva’s Europa League match against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on October 15. The decision, made over security concerns, has sparked political tensions and renewed debate over the violence surrounding Israeli supporters during a previous match in Amsterdam.
Israel Calls on the Netherlands to Reverse the Ban
The Israeli Foreign Ministry is urging Dutch authorities to overturn the decision that bars Hapoel Beer-Sheva supporters from attending the match. Israel has also accused the Netherlands of becoming an “antisemitism hotspot” following the ban, which Dutch authorities have maintained on security grounds.
Why Alkmaar Authorities Consider the Match High-Risk
Local authorities in Alkmaar designated the upcoming match as “very high risk,” with Mayor Schouten stressing that maintaining public order and safety “is not limited to the stadium or match day.”
According to Mayor Anja Schouten, Israeli supporters would arrive in the country on Tuesday and, due to a holiday, would not leave until Friday. Their extended stay would mean they could spend several days in and around Alkmaar, raising concerns about “who might encounter whom, and where, and what risks could arise.”
Security assessments reportedly considered more than the match itself, including supporters’ extended stay in the Netherlands, social media activity, and planned demonstrations.
How the 2024 Ajax Incident Factors Into the Decision
The ban comes against the backdrop of violent clashes involving Israeli supporters during a November 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam, where Ajax defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 5–0.
The incident followed racist and anti-Palestinian chants by Israeli supporters, alongside reports of vandalism and the removal of a Palestinian flag. The clashes drew widespread attention and intensified political tensions surrounding Israeli football fans in Europe.
As Israel pushes for the ban to be lifted ahead of Thursday’s match, the decision highlights how football fixtures involving Israeli teams have become increasingly entangled with wider political tensions and security concerns, particularly in the wake of the 2024 Amsterdam clashes.
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