In Amsterdam, clashes trigger a divisive blame game as old wounds reopen

Violence that marred a football match between Israeli and Dutch teams has scarred the diverse city now searching for healing.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – More than a week after clashes in Amsterdam, Tori Egherman, a Jewish writer and researcher who has lived in the Dutch capital for 20 years, still feels angry.

As she sits in a cafe, the poster above her, featuring a black dove, reads “Peace now”.

The image was created by Dutch graphic designer Max Kisman when Israel’s latest war on Gaza began and has been distributed free of charge to tens of thousands since.

“What makes me angry is that they come, act in the most violent and racist ways, and then leave us to clean up their mess,” she said of the Israeli football club fans involved in last week’s violence.

“This episode only makes Jews and Muslims suffer the most. If we are more divided and can’t work together, there’s little we can do as communities to improve the current situation.”