On a chilly Thursday night in Amsterdam, what should have been a simple soccer match turned into a horrifying display of anti-Semitism. Jewish fans, there to support Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv team, found themselves targets of vicious, premeditated attacks. This wasn’t just hooliganism gone wild – it was a modern-day pogrom right in the heart of Europe.
Understanding Pogroms: A Dark Chapter in Jewish History
Pogroms, stemming from the Russian word for “wreaking havoc,” are organized attacks against Jewish communities. Think of them as twisted Jew hunts. Throughout history, Jews have faced these brutal assaults:
- 66 CE: Alexandria saw over 50,000 Jews murdered
- 1348-1350: The Crusades wiped out 500+ Jewish communities
- 1903: Kishinev pogroms in the Russian Empire
- 1929: Hebron massacre
- 1938: Kristallnacht in Germany and Austria
- 1941: Farhud in Iraq
Amsterdam’s Attack: Not Just Another Soccer Brawl
Some online voices are trying to justify the Amsterdam attacks, claiming Jewish fans “deserved it” or linking it to the Israel-Hamas conflict. But let’s get real – when was the last time you saw civilians hunted down in foreign streets over a war they didn’t start? You don’t see mobs chasing Russians, forcing them to yell “Free Ukraine” to save their skin, do you?
The Roots of Modern Anti-Semitism
This Amsterdam pogrom didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the rotten fruit of:
- Years of ignored warnings about rising anti-Semitism
- Unchecked lies and slander about Israel
- The global spread of radical jihadist ideology
A Call to Action: Combating Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism
It’s high time world leaders took anti-Semitism and its modern cousin, anti-Zionism, seriously. Violence against Jews has never brought peace, and it sure as hell won’t “free Palestine.” History shows us that violence starting with Jews rarely ends there – it’s a canary in the coal mine for humanity at large.
The Silver Lining: A Safe Haven for Jews
The one crucial difference between Thursday’s Amsterdam pogrom and those of the past 2,000 years? Jews now have a place to call home. Israel stands ready to defend its people and come to their rescue.
Ultimately, this isn’t just a Jewish problem – it’s a human problem. The rise of anti-Semitism should set off alarm bells for everyone who values peace, tolerance, and human rights. It’s time to stand up, speak out, and ensure that “Never Again” isn’t just an empty phrase, but a promise we keep.
