Dear John,

Last night, after a soccer match in Amsterdam, there was horrific antisemitic violence in the streets as supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv were confronted by an anti-Israel mob in what was apparently a coordinated attack. Footage online shows fans being beaten by assailants using knives, clubs and vehicles and running for their lives.

This modern-day pogrom is particularly haunting because it comes just before the anniversary of the 1938 Kristallnacht pogrom.

I am outraged. Outraged that this happened to innocent people who just wanted to cheer for their team. Outraged that thousands of Jews were forced to scramble and hide as they feared for their lives...

And, I am outraged that I am not surprised. Over the last almost 400 days since October 7 we have repeatedly seen calls to “globalize the intifada” amid simmering anti-Israel, anti-Zionist and antisemitic outbursts on campus and in communities. We have seen celebration of the terrorism of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

While we welcome the strong condemnations from Dutch leaders, including the poignant statement by King Willem-Alexander, who said “last night we failed the Jews again,” more must be done by authorities in Amsterdam, and indeed around the world, to protect Jews from this violent hatred. Enough is enough.

Sports officials around the globe, in soccer and other sports, must respond to this horrifying assault by committing to proudly playing with Israeli teams — in Israel and around the world. Sports should be a place for bringing people together, and the answer to this hate and violence cannot be the sidelining and canceling of Israeli teams and athletes which sadly has been already happening since October 7.

And we must all — individuals, governments and civil society together — demand that the world re-dedicate themselves to what “Never Again” means. There is no justification, no tolerance, no excuse for antisemitism, period.

We will be engaging with officials in Holland, Israel and in the sports world in the coming days and we will keep you informed.

Thank you for supporting ADL today and every day as together, we Fight Hate for Good.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Greenblatt

CEO and National Director

ADL