From the Liveblog of
Friday, November 8, 2024
Israeli authorities foresaw danger of Amsterdam attacks, failed to warn soccer club, fans – report
Israeli authorities recognized ahead of the widespread attacks by local Arab and Muslim gangs on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam last night that organized violence was likely, with the Diaspora Affairs Ministry drawing up a warning document on Wednesday that highlighted the “very high risk” of such attacks, Channel 12 news reports.
It says the warning was based on “indications” in social media monitored by the ministry, including overt online coordination of plans for violent demonstrations. The ministry document shown by Channel 12 includes a screenshot from an online post by a Dutch Palestinian group PGNL headed “No Zionists in UEFA/FIFA.”
The ministry’s warning noted that protesters were being told not to carry Palestinian flags or other signs of Palestinian affiliation, and said the organizers were presenting the planned violent protests as constituting “a direct confrontation with Israeli security forces and the Mossad.”
The report says the ministry drew up its warning document in the light of what it saw as “the open encouragement of violence by the organizers of the demonstrations,” and the fact that there would be many children and identifiable Israelis in Amsterdam for the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax soccer match.
The TV report says the Diaspora Affairs Ministry’s warning was shared with the Foreign Ministry and “a discussion was held.” But neither of the ministries, nor the National Security Council, issued warnings or guidelines to Maccabi or to the fans, some 3,000 of whom are said to have traveled to the match.
???? Key Findings from NCRI’s Amsterdam Pogrom Brief: On Nov 6-7, tensions between Maccabi TA fans and pro-Palestine activists escalated, leading to mob violence in Amsterdam. Despite advance warnings, local authorities did not intervene.
PGNL, led by organizers including a… pic.twitter.com/piOg4NBQwU
— Network Contagion Research Institute (@ncri_io) November 8, 2024
Furthermore, says Channel 12, the Mossad told its Dutch counterparts and Dutch police of concerns about violence and urged them to reinforce security at the stadium, hotels and the train station, but this “did not really happen,” the TV report says.
The head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, the report also says, is now in touch with his Dutch counterpart as regards the ongoing investigation of suspected assailants who are in Dutch police custody, and ongoing security issues.
It also says, without sourcing, that there are “high alerts” at Israeli and Jewish facilities in Europe, and concerns about security at several forthcoming sporting events involving Israeli teams in the coming days.
It notes that Sports Minister Miki Zohar has recommended that Israeli fans not travel to matches in Europe, but stresses that the National Security Council, which issues such warnings, has not issued any such recommendation and has no intention at present of changing the current travel guidance warnings.
As things stand, Holland is on the NSC list of countries where a “Level 2” designation applies, indicating a “potential threat” and the need to take “precautionary measures.”
