Israel Envoy Slams Dutch Mayor Over Soccer Fan Ban

By איתמר אייכנר, שי מוגילבסקי

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

CenterCharged tone

Hebrew · 5 newsrooms covering

Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Tzvi Vapni, condemned the Mayor of Alkmaar, Anja Schouten, for refusing to allow 150 Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans to attend a soccer match. Vapni accused the mayor of having an anti-Israeli agenda. Approximately 50 fans have arrived in the Netherlands but will avoid Alkmaar due to planned protests. The club chairman had previously appealed for a smaller group of fans, questioning the security reasoning for the ban.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Israeli Ambassador Tzvi Vapni criticized Dutch Mayor Anja Schouten for banning 150 Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans from a soccer match.
Vapni accused the mayor of using her authority to facilitate anti-Israeli demonstrations.
Around 50 fans have arrived in the Netherlands but will avoid Alkmaar due to planned protests.
Club Chairman Shino Zvartz previously requested permission for a smaller group of 200 fans.
Zvartz questioned the security rationale for preventing a small group of fans from attending.

Israel Envoy Slams Dutch Mayor Over Soccer Fan Ban — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Tzvi Vapni, sharply criticized the Mayor of Alkmaar, Anja Schouten, on Wednesday after she refused to consider allowing 150 Hapoel Be'er Sheva soccer fans into the city for a match. Vapni spoke with Schouten by phone, attempting to find a solution for a small number of fans to attend, but was denied. Vapni stated on social media platform X that the mayor "uses her authority to facilitate anti-Israeli demonstrations" and accused her of having an "activist agenda that is anti-Israeli or perhaps even worse." He called her behavior "disgraceful."

Despite not having tickets, approximately 50 Be'er Sheva fans had already arrived in Amsterdam. They plan to avoid Alkmaar to prevent provocations related to two pro-Palestinian demonstrations expected in the city on game day. Some fans are organizing to watch the match together on television at a secret location for their safety.

Earlier, on Saturday, a letter from Shino Zvartz, Chairman of Hapoel Be'er Sheva, to the Mayor of Amsterdam regarding the fans' arrival in the Netherlands was revealed. Zvartz had previously requested permission for about 200 individuals, including family members, sponsors, and club representatives, to attend the game, emphasizing the club's willingness to compromise and cooperate with authorities on security measures.

Zvartz questioned the security rationale for the ban, stating that if local authorities cannot secure 200 people, it's difficult to see how they can ensure the safety of an entire city. He called for a reasonable and proportionate solution, expressing hope that common sense and genuine cooperation would prevail so that the focus on October 15 can be on the football itself.