Western Media Frames Amsterdam Football Violence as ‘Antisemitism’ While Remaining Silent on Gaza Casualties
Western and Israeli media have described recent incidents in Amsterdam involving clashes at a football match as a "pogrom," a "massacre," even a "new Holocaust," and condemned it as "antisemitism." These terms have been amplified by major political figures who expressed strong condemnations of the anti-Israel scenes in Amsterdam, while remaining largely silent on the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Following these events, global leaders swiftly condemned the violence against Israeli fans. U.S. President Joe Biden called the incidents in Amsterdam "despicable," echoing past atrocities, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted that "antisemitism has no place in Europe." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also expressed outrage, calling the incidents a stark reminder of Europe’s darker historical chapters.
However, this rapid condemnation contrasts with the more restrained language these leaders have used when addressing violence in Gaza, where Israel's ongoing airstrikes have led to thousands of Palestinian civilian casualties. Despite widespread destruction, including hospitals and refugee camps, Western leaders rarely hold Israel directly accountable, typically referring to the devastation in general terms, such as "violence in the Middle East."
Western Media Coverage and Shifting Narratives
Western media quickly pointed to pro-Palestinian protesters as the primary aggressors in Amsterdam, only to later adjust their reports as more details surfaced. Initial coverage from outlets like Reuters framed the story with headlines suggesting "antisemitic attacks," while largely downplaying provocations by fans of Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv team, who reportedly chanted anti-Arab slogans. Media outlets softened the aggressive actions by Maccabi fans as "chants," while characterizing pro-Palestinian reactions as "slurs" or "antisemitic pogroms." In some instances, edited versions of news footage and reports added ambiguity, further entrenching the narrative of antisemitic violence.
Some journalists have pushed back against this selective framing. A Dutch reporter, whose footage showed Maccabi fans confronting locals, protested after her video was misused by major outlets like CNN and The Guardian to suggest the violence was instigated by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Echoes of the Past: The ‘Holocaust Card’ in Amsterdam
Notable voices have gone as far as to link the Amsterdam incidents with the Holocaust. The Telegraph cited the Dutch king’s remarks likening the football-related violence to Nazi-era persecution of Jews. The U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League also referenced the Kristallnacht anniversary, drawing a direct comparison to one of the darkest nights in Jewish history. This narrative shift was made despite the fact that injuries were limited, while the same media downplayed Israeli actions that have led to thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths.
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The Role of Citizen Journalism in Shaping Reality
Amid this media storm, a 14-year-old Dutch teenager became a prominent voice by capturing unfiltered footage from the streets, showing Maccabi fans issuing threats and clashing with locals. The footage, which journalist Max Blumenthal later shared, contradicts the mainstream narrative by highlighting aggressive provocations from the Israeli side.
Selective Outrage and Patterns of Bias
This selective outrage has not gone unnoticed by international audiences, with many criticizing Western media for failing to report similarly on Israel’s actions in Gaza, where nearly 70% of casualties are reported to be women and children. Incidents like the widely discredited reports of "beheaded Israeli babies" from October 7 continue to fuel skepticism about Western media's impartiality.
This pattern raises serious questions about the media’s role in framing narratives, particularly as the world watches the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With calls for genuine accountability, the contrast in coverage between Amsterdam and Gaza underscores the need for a more balanced, transparent approach to reporting.