Now, in an interview with the Sunday Times, Sebastiaan Meijer, a spokesman for the Amsterdam police division, said he was “surprised” by the allegations of Israeli violence and many of the claims made by the West Midlands force were “not true”.
On the West Midlands’ finding that the Israelis were “highly organised, skilled fighters with a serious desire and will to fight with police and opposing groups”, Meijer said: “Amsterdam police does not recognise the claim.”
On the claim that the Israeli fans threw people into the canal in Amsterdam, Meijer said the only known case related to a man who appeared to be a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan. He was filmed being told he could leave the water on the condition that he said “Free Palestine”.
Another claim made by the UK force linked 200 travelling Maccabi to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), but Meijer pointed out that Israel’s policy of conscription made this claim meaningless.
On the claim that 5,000 Dutch officers had to be deployed to police the violence, Meijer said: “In total we came to 1,200, in different shifts, though … I read 5,000 police. That number is so not true.”
He said there was no evidence that 600 people “deliberately” targeted Muslims, and the force did not have a total number of how many people "actually partook in the disorder”.
The official report into the violence in Amsterdam from Dutch authorities obtained by the JC said Maccabi fans “do not have a violent reputation”, and made clear it was the Israeli club’s supporters who were the victims of “groups that are looking for a confrontation”.
TOPSHOT - Maccabi supporters wave yellow flags next to Israeli flags during the UEFA Europa League, League phase - Matchday 4, football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Johan-Cruijff stadium, in Amsterdam on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Robin van Lonkhuijsen / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)ANP/AFP via Getty Images
The document also stated that of the 59 suspects arrested, only ten were Israeli, while the others were from the Netherlands.
Despite this, the West Midlands police used its own exaggerated report during a meeting last month with members of Birmingham’s Jewish community.
Superintendent Jack Hadley told those present that “innocent members of the public walking down the road were just thrown into the river” and claimed Dutch police described the coordination and organisation of the fans as “unique,” according to the Times.
He said violence, the likes of which had “never [been] seen” had “resulted in” the deployment of thousands of extra officers.
“The Dutch police, as you would expect, responded … and ended up in some of the worst fighting they have ever, ever seen.”
A member of Birmingham’s Jewish community who attended the meeting with Hadley on October 20 said he was “shocked at the time” to hear the officer’s claims of Israeli violence, “but it was even more shocking and disturbing in light of the Dutch report which shows these claims are completely false.”
Another community meeting with the West Midlands police is planned for Monday evening.
Andrew Gilbert, vice president of the Board of Deputies, said he was “extremely troubled” by reports that Maccabi fans were banned from watching their team play Aston Villa because of a police decision “based on false information”.
“This decision has sowed distrust, particularly for Birmingham's Jewish community, and undermined community cohesion. We must get to the bottom of this with full transparency and accountability, and government must ensure there can be no improper interference in decisions of this kind.
“Every part of our society needs confidence that policing decisions are based on the proper criteria, and not swayed by narrow prejudice or agendas,” Gilbert said.
Conservative MP Nick Timothy, an Aston Villa supporter and former special adviser to prime minister Theresa May, told the JC last week: “With the differences between West Midlands Police and the Dutch authorities in their characterisation of events in Amsterdam last year, the chief constable and local authorities should publish all intelligence and information upon which they made their decision to ban Jewish, Israeli fans from Villa Park.”
Pro-Palestinian protest at Villa Park, Birmingham, as Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)AFP via Getty Images
West Midlands Police has defended its decision. In a statement to the JC, a spokesperson for the force said: “West Midlands Police’s evaluation was based primarily on information and intelligence and had public safety at its heart.
“We assessed the fixture between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having involved significant public disorder.
“We met with Dutch police on October 1, where information relating to that 2024 fixture was shared with us.
“Informed by information and intelligence, we concluded that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters - specifically the subgroup known as the Maccabi Fanatics - posed a credible threat to public safety.
“The submission made to the SAG was based on information and intelligence which helped shape understanding of the risks.
“West Midlands Police commissioned a peer review, which was conducted by UKFPU (United Kingdom Football Policing Unit), the NPCC (National Police Chiefs' Council) and subject matter experts.
“This review, carried out on October 20, fully endorsed the force’s approach and decision-making.
“We are satisfied that the policing strategy and operational plan was effective, proportionate, and maintained the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”
