There are more articles out there reporting on the same thing. Just because it might not fit your preconceived notions, or the narrative that you have already decided on, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Here, for example, if you scroll down:

We’ve just heard from two people from Britain’s Jewish community who attended the football match in Amsterdam.

(…)

“We got to one of the central areas and we saw mopeds turn up and some guys started beating an Israeli guy going back to his hotel," he says, adding they were referring to his religion and stomping on his head.

(…)

“Shortly after, the same men that had attacked the Israeli came up to us right into our personal space, saying are you Jewish? We said no, we are British," he says.

(…)

“They were looking for Jews not just Israelis,” he says.

This coming from British men, as reported by the BBC. BBC also release this article a couple of day ago; do you think they are just running propaganda for Israel?

Just because Israel is committing genocide in Palestine, you don’t have to condone or try to downplay this type of behavior. You can support Palestine and still acknowledge that this behavior was grounded in antisemitism. Or do you find it unlikely that in central Europe, and with the rise of the far right, there are Nazis and other antisemites? Not to mention football hooligans are usually quite right wing.

The claims are from Dutch authorities, not a random “someone,” and not solely from Israeli authorities. From the Guardian’s coverage:

The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, described an “outburst” of antisemitism with “hit and run” attacks on the visiting supporters.

“Men on scooters crisscrossed the city looking for Israeli football fans. It was a hit and run. I can easily understand that this brings back memories of pogroms,” Halsema said. “Our city has been deeply damaged. Jewish culture has been deeply threatened. This is an outburst of antisemitism that I hope to never see again.”

. . .

Theodoor van Boven, who owns the Condomerie, near Dam Square on the Warmoesstraat, said he saw gangs apparently hunting and chasing opposing fans. “What we saw here in the street in the evening and at night were groups of often Dutch groups who were out hunting, who were looking for Maccabi fans. They were on foot in groups, on scooters, riding round looking, and telephoning each other – it [seemed to be] organised.”

And, yes, “Jew hunts” are racist even if particular Jews who end up being hunted are themselves racist assholes.

And you think that justifies organizing groups of people to hunt Jews in Amsterdam? Should they round up all the Jews in Connecticut just to be safe?

First, that was an awesome reply. You’re the best.

I agree with you. People often say offensive things when they’re in heated (verbal) conflict and we frequently make more of it than what it is. We react like, in those moments, people expose their true feelings when what they’re doing is saying ‘what is the most hurtful thing I could say to you.’ I don’t think that someone saying something racist in conflict like that makes something a racially motivated attack.

But there are two categories of things that happened here. One was the thing you described (and that we agree on), the other was something premeditated and coordinated. And there is a difference between saying “Jew hunt” and planning a Jew hunt. You don’t plan and execute ambushes in the heat of the moment. This planning occurred before most (maybe all) of the things people are saying the attacks were a response to.

When this British man was attacked, they didn’t demand to know whether he was Israeli or even supported Israel. They demanded to know if he was a Jew. No matter how people felt about, say, Saudi Arabia, if someone was approaching people in the street and demanding to know whether they’re Arab (or Muslim) before attacking them, I wouldn’t hesitate to call it racist. Whatever’s happening in the world, someone organizing to “hunt Arabs” in my city can fuck right off.

Honestly, if you trade out “Jews” with any other group, can you imagine people making excuses* for it? Is there a context in which it’s okay to put out a call to hunt Muslims? Persians? Arabs? Black folks? Women? Any group within the LGBTQ+ community?

*(And, just to be clear, I think you’re explaining that it appears worse/different than what it actually is, not making excuses.)