Netherlands bans Israeli football fans from Europa League match as Israel demands an urgent U-turn

From the Newshound archive · first published 13 October 2026.

Gideon Sa'ar has raised the Hapoel Be'er Sheva fan ban directly with his Dutch counterpart, calling for supporters to be admitted and their safety guaranteed.

Dutch authorities in Alkmaar have barred Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters from Thursday's Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar, declaring the fixture "very high risk due to the geopolitical context." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has raised the ban directly with his Dutch counterpart Tom Berendsen, demanding fans be admitted and their safety guaranteed. Alkmaar mayor Anja Schouten stood behind the decision, warning that security threats are even greater than those before the 2024 Amsterdam attacks on Israeli fans.

The ban follows the November 2024 Amsterdam violence, when Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were chased and assaulted after an Ajax Europa League match, leaving five hospitalised.

The Netherlands' main Jewish umbrella body condemned the decision, saying: 'Those who threaten are determining who is welcome.'

Mayor Schouten told Dutch broadcaster NH Nieuws that signals ahead of Thursday's match are more alarming than those before the Amsterdam attacks.

Roya NewsNetherlands bans 'Israeli' fans from Europa League match - Roya News Algemeiner.comIsrael Urges Netherlands to Reverse Ban Again Israeli Soccer Fans for Upcoming Europa League Match - Algemeiner.com Israel National NewsIsrael pushes Netherlands to let Be’er Sheva fans attend Europa League match The Times of IsraelDutch city bans Israeli fans from soccer match; Foreign Ministry demands reversal Jewish News (GNews)Israel demands Dutch U-turn over ban on Israeli football fans

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