Flyers in Amsterdam Urge Reporting and Boycotting Israelis Ahead of Pride Parade

In Amsterdam, flyers circulated last week ahead of the city's Pride Parade calling on residents to boycott Israeli artists and report any Israelis they encounter. The flyers, widely shared on social media, included personal details and photos of three Israelis labeled as "war criminals," along with locations and dates where they were allegedly expected to appear around the city. The flyer warned, "Beware of war criminals - protect your community," and urged recipients to report sightings within five minutes via a link to a reporting website associated with an organization named RITA.

During the Pride Parade held on Saturday, an incident was recorded where a participant forcibly took an Israeli flag from another marcher and fled. The flyer also referenced the Hind Rajab Foundation, known for its anti-IDF activities, encouraging readers to learn more about it.

Following the flyer’s distribution, the RITA organization issued a statement denying any involvement, clarifying that the flyer used their name, logo, and reporting form without authorization. They emphasized that RITA is an independent platform focused on reporting discrimination and harassment, and that the unauthorized use of their identity caused public confusion and misrepresented their mission.

Since October 7, there has been a rise in anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incidents in the Netherlands, including a violent attack in November 2024 on fans of the Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv sports team, as well as protests and assaults on community institutions.