AJC Statement on the Violent Antisemitic Attacks in Amsterdam

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, is horrified by the violent, antisemitic assaults on Israeli and Jewish fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team that took place in Amsterdam. This modern-day pogrom reflects a broader rise in antisemitic violence across Europe since October 7 - fueled not only by an anti-Israel political ideology and extremist interpretations of Islam, but also by the rhetoric and complacency of some European leaders. Symbolically, the attacks were a chilling reminder of Europe's darkest chapters on the very eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht on November 9.

We must be clear: European leaders who demonize or criminalize Israel cannot credibly claim to fight antisemitism while fanning its flames. While saying that antisemitism often hides behind anti-Zionism, they use language that contributes to Israel's vilification and, by extension, emboldens those who target Jews across Europe. This hypocrisy must end.

AJC demands that European leaders stand up not only for the Jewish community but for the values that define Europe itself. This is not merely a Jewish issue; it is a European crisis, a test of the continent's commitment to justice, integrity, and truth. Only a whole-of-society approach, led by government officials but engaging all sectors, can create meaningful, durable change.

European leaders must understand that antisemitism, including that disguised as anti-Zionism, is an assault on the very fabric of their societies. Accordingly, and recognizing the urgency of the situation, they must act to end the double standard that demonizes Israel and fuels antisemitic hatred. Leaders must make a clear stand that antisemitism will not be tolerated in any form. Further, there must be clear refusals from leaders across Europe to align with parties or institutions that support antisemitic rhetoric, and immediate consequences for any institution that allows antisemitism to flourish - especially those financed by foreign countries.

The Netherlands and most European nations have endorsed the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, a landmark international framework launched in July 2024. The Guidelines must now be implemented with special emphasis on protection, enforcement, and education. AJC calls on government leaders to:

• ensure law enforcement is equipped and empowered to adequately address the security and welfare of Jewish citizens to protect them from physical threats and attacks;
• enforce hate crime and anti-discrimination laws with robust legal consequences; and
• redouble educational initiatives, particularly those linked to hatred of Israel, into school curricula to foster understanding and counter today's prejudice.

Importantly, the Global Guidelines also stress the need to understand and define antisemitism, highlighting the value of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, an important tool in recognizing and countering antisemitism as it relates to Israel.

The steady rise in antisemitic acts is a warning that Europe cannot ignore. Each incident erodes not only the safety of Jewish communities but the integrity of Europe's values. This is a decisive moment. European leaders must act with urgency, strength, and unity to defend their nations from the corrosive forces of antisemitism and uphold the principles they claim to represent.

Anything less would be an abdication of their responsibility - to Jews and to Europe itself.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org .

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