When Sport Becomes a Battlefield: Antisemitism from Australia to Amsterdam

Antisemitism is a persistent issue, manifesting in various forms across different regions and eras. My own experiences, from fighting prejudice in Australia 50 years ago to witnessing recent events like the attack in Amsterdam, highlight both the progress we’ve made and the ongoing challenges in combating this form of hatred. Sport, which I’ve long believed to be a powerful platform for promoting peace and tolerance, can play a crucial role in bridging communities. But recent events reveal the potential for it to be misused as well, as we saw in Amsterdam.

A Personal Battle against Antisemitism in Australia (1970s)

When I was 16 years old, I faced antisemitism head-on at Macquarie University in Sydney. Back then, Australia was simmering with political and social tensions, and for the first time the campus became a battleground. Over 150 Palestinian men armed with wooden sticks and iron bars attacked 20 Jewish students holding cardboard placards demonstrating against a Palestinian student advocating that the holocaust did not happen. This wasn’t just an ideological clash; it was physical and traumatic. I was struck by fists and shouted at with insults meant to undermine my identity. This formative experience shaped my understanding of the deep-seated hatred that antisemitism can foster and eventually led me to move to Israel. Though the physical wounds healed, the emotional scars remained, driving me to advocate against hatred in all forms.

1976 article

Current Landscape of Antisemitism in Australia

Fast-forward to today, following the events of October 7, 2023, Australia has experienced a significant surge in antisemitic incidents. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) reported a 738% increase in such incidents during October and November 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. (ABC News) This alarming rise includes physical assaults, verbal abuse, vandalism, and harassment, indicating a resurgence of antisemitic sentiment across the country.

In Victoria, the situation is particularly concerning. Jillian Segal, Australia’s first special envoy on antisemitism, noted that Victoria has become the epicenter of antisemitic incidents, with over 800 cases recorded since October 2023. (The Australian) This substantial increase underscores the urgent need for effective measures to combat antisemitism in the region.

The Amsterdam Incident: Sport Misused as a Tool of Hate

Last week, Amsterdam witnessed a shocking incident that reminded us of the ugliness of antisemitism on an international stage. After a soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, mobs targeted Jewish supporters of the Maccabi team, shouting “Jew” in a derogatory way and chanting “Free Palestine” while physically attacking those they perceived to be Jewish. This wasn’t a random outburst; it was an organized hunt, a “pogrom” in the streets of Amsterdam, turning a sport meant to bring people together into a pretext for division and violence.

This incident starkly contrasts with the true values of sport, which should serve as an ideal platform for promoting tolerance, understanding, and peace. Soccer, like all sports, has the unique power to transcend borders, connect communities, and foster positive interactions. When used responsibly, sport can bridge even the deepest divides—a theme I have explored in my blogs where I advocate for using sports to bring diverse communities together in mutual respect. But when it is twisted into a platform for hatred, as it was in Amsterdam, it highlights the urgent need to reclaim sport for peace and unity.

Lessons from the Past and the Path Forward

Reflecting on past and present, one clear message emerges: we must be vigilant against hate and proactive in using every tool—especially sport—to foster tolerance. From my own experiences 50 years ago to the recent events in Amsterdam, we see that antisemitism thrives when it is left unchecked. Sports organizations, governments, and communities must commit to ensuring that sports are places of inclusivity, where people of all backgrounds can come together, rather than be driven apart.

In my blog “One Team, One World,” I wrote about the unifying power of sport, where diverse players come together for a common purpose, breaking down barriers of language, culture, and prejudice. In “Peace and Sport,” I highlighted how sport initiatives have built bridges between conflicting communities around the world, showing that teamwork and sportsmanship can be tools for peace. And in “War and Sport,” I reflected on the ways sport has historically both mirrored and countered societal conflicts. The Amsterdam incident, where sport was misused to promote hatred, is a powerful reminder of how important it is to reinforce the positive potential of sports in today’s divided world.

Two significant examples are the Monaco-based Peace and Sport organization and Maccabi World Union. In December, Peace and Sport will host its 14th international forum with over 5,000 delegates from 115 countries under the theme “Speak Your Peace.” And in July 2025, the 25th Maccabiah Games, known as the “Jewish Olympics,” will bring together over 10,000 athletes from 70 countries, underlining the resilience and unity of the Jewish community following the October 7 events and the recent Amsterdam incident.

Conclusion

Antisemitism, as these stories show, is not an abstract issue; it is deeply personal, often violent, and undeniably enduring. My traumatic experience of 50 years ago at Macquarie university’s campus and the recent violent display in Amsterdam remind us that history can repeat itself if we don’t actively challenge it. Sport, when used properly, offers a path forward—a platform that can unite, heal, and build peace. But to fulfill that potential, we must remain vigilant, promote education, and advocate for the true values that sports represent respect, inclusion, and unity.