Alkmaar Mayor maintains ban on Israeli fans for AZ vs Hapoel match

Alkmaar Mayor Anja Schouten has upheld the decision to bar Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters from attending the upcoming Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar at AFAS Stadium. The decision was made due to significant public order concerns and the risk of confrontations between demonstrators, supporters, and police.

To mitigate security risks, the Mayor has relocated planned pro-Palestinian protests from the stadium grounds to a nearby intersection at Rhijnvis Feithlaan and Smaragdweg. Officials stated that the stadium area does not allow for sufficient measures to separate protesters from football visitors or prevent disorder.

The ban has triggered a diplomatic dispute. Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the move, stating that excluding fans rewards those who incite violence and noting that the decision comes amid rising antisemitism in the Netherlands. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reportedly engaged in diplomatic efforts with Dutch officials to reverse the decision, but local authorities maintain that the safety of the event remains the priority.