Diplomatic dispute over football supporter ban in Alkmaar

The Alkmaar city council rejected a motion to allow Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters to attend an upcoming AZ Alkmaar match on October 15. Mayor Anja Schouten stated the exclusion followed “pressing requests” from Amsterdam security authorities, citing previous violence involving Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters. Local political debate emerged, with some representatives arguing that security measures should target specific individuals rather than entire groups.

Following the decision, Israel has increased diplomatic pressure. The Israeli ambassador contacted Mayor Schouten to question the justification of the ban, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar raised the matter with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen. Israel suggested that if fans cannot be admitted, the match should be moved to a different location.

Mayor Schouten has since upheld the ban, citing significant public order concerns and the risk of confrontations between supporters, demonstrators, and police. To mitigate these risks, officials have relocated planned pro-Palestinian protests from the stadium grounds to a nearby intersection at Rhijnvis Feithlaan and Smaragdweg, stating the stadium area does not allow for sufficient measures to separate protesters from visitors.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has criticized the move, arguing that excluding fans “rewards those who incite violence” and noting the decision occurs amid rising antisemitism in the Netherlands. While Israeli officials continue diplomatic efforts to reverse the decision, local authorities maintain that the safety of the event remains the priority.