By John Q. Hosedrinker On Thursday, young players from TuS Makkabi, a Jewish under-17 soccer team in Berlin, were subjected to a horrific attack after their match against DJK Schwarz-Weiß Neukölln. A crowd wielding sticks and knives chased the players, shouting antisemitic slurs and spitting at them. The referee failed to intervene, and the incident has prompted a strong condemnation from Berlin officials and a promise of expulsion for the youth involved from Schwarz-Weiss Neukölln. The Staatsschutz hate crime police unit is investigating the incident, which represents a disturbing trend of antisemitism in European soccer.
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The news of a Jewish youth soccer team in Berlin being attacked by a knife-wielding mob claiming to be pro-Hamas is deeply disturbing. This incident, occurring in the heart of Europe in 2024, is a stark reminder that antisemitism, far from being a relic of the past, is alive and well. The blatant racism and hatred on display are unacceptable.
It’s appalling that children, simply enjoying a game of soccer, became targets of this violence. The fact that these attackers wielded knives, signifying their intent to inflict serious harm, adds a horrifying dimension to the situation. There is no justification for such an attack, regardless of any political or religious affiliation.
The outrage surrounding this incident is palpable. The attack is seen by many as a blatant act of terrorism, fueled by the hateful ideology of Hamas. This group, whose charter explicitly calls for the extermination of Jews, has no place in a civilized society. Yet, despite this, there are those who continue to support Hamas, even celebrating the violence it inspires.
The perpetrators of this attack deserve to face the full force of the law. Stripping citizenship from adults and curtailing social benefits for minors involved in such acts of hate is a necessary step to deter future violence. The “globalization of the intifada,” a term often used to describe the spread of Palestinian resistance, is a dangerous concept. It is a pathway to further violence and instability, and must be condemned unequivocally.
The attack on the Jewish youth soccer team is a horrific reminder of the dangers of unchecked hate. It is imperative that we all stand united against antisemitism and all forms of extremism. This is not a time for complacency or appeasement. We must confront this growing menace head-on, ensuring that these attackers are brought to justice and that such incidents never happen again.