The Take Another Take: What a match in Amsterdam says about Israel’s future in football
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Oct 18, 2025 In this discussion, Tony Karon, Managing Editor at AJ+, dives into the recent riots in Amsterdam linked to Israeli football fans. He explores whether these events are rooted in antisemitism or a result of normalization and impunity surrounding Israeli actions. Karon critiques political narratives from both Israel and the Netherlands, highlights the complexities of fan culture among Maccabi supporters, and draws parallels to historical protests against apartheid. He also predicts escalating fan activism and discusses the challenges of holding Israel accountable in the global football arena.
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Normalization Breeds Predictable Backlash
- Tony Karon argues Israel was being normalized in European sport despite Gaza context and that impunity made clashes inevitable.
- He says Israeli fans' behavior reflected a militarized, ultra‑nationalist mindset tied to the occupation and genocide in Gaza.
Sequence Of Provocations And Street Violence
- The transcript documents aggressive actions by Maccabi fans in Amsterdam, including ripping down Palestinian flags and chanting genocidal slogans.
- Authorities detained dozens and hospitalized people after street clashes involving scooters and mobs with clubs.
Militarized Fan Culture And Missing Context
- Karon notes many Maccabi fans are part of a culture tied to military service and openly celebrate violence against Palestinians.
- He says initial reporting often omitted that context, framing Israelis only as victims.