Netherlands: Ajax Amsterdam supporters confront pro-Palestinian demonstrators holed up at the university

Supporters of the Ajax Amsterdam soccer club, in the Netherlands, attacked pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday, who, like their counterparts at American universities, took over the city's university. Ajax ultras headed to the protest tent and attacked the demonstrators with torches and sticks. Some of them were wearing masks of fanatics, the Maccabi Tel Aviv ultras, known for their friendship with Ajax fans for many years.

According to reports in the Netherlands, about 140 protesters were arrested during the riots. Most of them were released on Tuesday morning. In response to thousands of videos posted on social media, many Internet users thanked Ajax supporters who stood by Israel, which is a rarity in Europe.

The friendship between Ajax and Maccabi began in 2004 when the two teams faced each other in the group stage of the Champions League. Since then, Maccabi fans have regularly waved Ajax banners, and vice versa. Supporters are known for their affiliation with the Jewish community and Israel, and the Ultras have even earned the nickname “Super Jews.”

Ajax Amsterdam, the most successful club in the Netherlands, is often considered the club of the city's Jewish community, as they are both located in the same area of ​​Amsterdam. Israeli flags have been flown in the stands at every match for many years, and Ajax fans display large Stars of David to cheer for their team, although very few of them are Jewish.