Galatasaray’s Hakim Ziyech faces backlash after mocking fleeing Maccabi Tel Aviv fans
Hakim Ziyech shares a video on Instagram, saying, “If it’s not women and children then they run away,” with “Free Palestine” added below, November 8, 2024. (Photo via Türkiye daily
Galatasaray footballer Hakim Ziyech faces criticism for his social media post about recent clashes between Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters and locals in Amsterdam.
The violence erupted before Ajax’s Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, sparking debates online and drawing calls for disciplinary action against Ziyech.
Outcome of Amsterdam confrontations between Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, locals
The violence began when Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters took down Palestinian flags hung by residents in Amsterdam’s city center, sparking anger among local pro-Palestine demonstrators.
Witnesses also reported provocative chants from Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, including, “Let the IDF win and F*** the Arabs” and “Why is school out in Gaza? There are no children left there.” These slogans heightened the animosity, drawing criticism and intensifying the tension between the two groups.
The escalating confrontation quickly spread, and videos shared online show Maccabi Tel Aviv fans running from attackers. Reports indicate that five Israelis were hospitalized because of the clashes, and Dutch police detained 62 individuals connected to the violence.
Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, called the violent response to Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters “antisemitic hit-and-run squads.” She described how some attackers rode scooters around the city in search of Israeli fans, comparing the scenes to disturbing events of the past decades.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof spoke with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring him that Dutch authorities would pursue and prosecute the attackers.
Hakim Ziyech’s social media post fuels criticism, Zahavi’s complaint to UEFA
After the violent confrontations, Ziyech posted a video on Instagram showing Maccabi Tel Aviv fans fleeing, captioning it, “If it’s not women and children, they run away.” He added the phrase “Free Palestine.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Eran Zahavi immediately condemned Hakim Ziyech’s post, calling him a “stupid terror supporter.”
Zahavi tagged UEFA in his post and demanded disciplinary action, writing, “I hope you see it and punish him!” Zahavi also added a hand gesture emoji, amplifying his statement.
Hakim Ziyech’s post drew heated reactions online, with some calling his comments dangerous and inflammatory, while others defended his right to support Palestine.
One social media user remarked, “Hakim Ziyech is promoting violence,” while another defended Ziyech’s stance and stressed that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had instigated the unrest and then victimized themselves.
Ziyech, who previously played for Ajax, also received backlash from Dutch fans for his stance.
