Israeli fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were seen chanting anti-Arab and racist slogans upon landing at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Friday, following a series of brawls in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam instigated by fans of the club.
The club’s supports were heard saying "let the IDF win and f**k the Arabs" as well as "why is school out? There are no children left there," in reference to children killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, as they arrived back in the country.
Six planes were reportedly sent to bring the football hooligans back to Israel, after a number of riots ensued in the Dutch capital, triggered by the football hooligans' racist behaviour.
Maccabi Tel Aviv faced Eredivisie side Ajax on Thursday, where they were thrashed 5-0 by the Dutch side in the latest round of the UEFA Europa League.
Upon arriving to the Dutch capital ahead of the match, videos online showed Israeli football hooligans tearing down Palestinian flags hung from residents’ homes. In one clip, one hooded Israeli fan can be heard saying "F**k you Palestine" after he ripped down the flag.
Other video clips showed Maccabi Tel Aviv fans yelling several racist chants and slurs, including "F**k Arabs" and "Death to Arabs", as well "we will win, let the IDF win".
Additionally, taxi drivers of Moroccan and Arab descent were also harassed and threatened by Maccabi fans, while others were seen taunting minority residents of the capital.
The rampage sparked riots in Amsterdam, where members of the city's Moroccan community confronted the football hooligans.
Israeli authorities, Amsterdam's mayor and several western leaders including the King of the Netherlands were quick to label Thursday night's incidents as "antisemitic attacks" that were reminiscent of "World War II and Kristallnacht", while omitting mention of the football fans' actions.
This was confirmed by Amsterdam councilman Jazie Veldhuyzen, who told Al Jazeera: "On Wednesday night, Maccabi hooligans initiated to attack houses with Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian Amsterdammers. That’s when the violence started."
Sixty-two people were arrested by Dutch police in connection with the violence, authorities said without providing further details.
Football competitions attended by fans of Israeli clubs and the national team have sparked tension concerns over the year, amid Israel's continued military onslaught in the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 43, 552 Palestinians since October 7 last year. Israel's atrocities in the Palestinian territory, as well as Lebanon, has provoked worldwide anger and protests calling for a halt to the war.
Additionally, Israeli football fans have a track record of chanting anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab and Islamophobic chants over the years during football matches, which have been often aimed Arab and Palestinian players.
The Palestinian Football Association has urged FIFA to ban Israeli football teams to be banned from international competition, in response to the war in Gaza. FIFA has repeatedly delayed making a decision concerning the matter.
Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Besiktas late this month for their next UEFA Europe League match, set to be played in Turkey, where criticism of Israel and its onslaught in Gaza has been widespread.