Israel Burns Lebanese-Palestinian Flag During Invasion Of Football, What Does The World Say?

Israeli flag. (Pexels-Karolina Grabowska)

JAKARTA - An Israeli military group burned the Lebanese flag amid their invasion of southern Lebanon on the pretext of fighting the militant group Hezbollah.

The Israeli military spoke up after recording the flag burning action went viral on social media on Saturday 9 November.

"We view the actions of several soldiers who burned the Lebanese flag in southern Lebanon as a violation of orders, not in accordance with the values of the defense forces, and inconsistent with the goals of our military activities in Lebanon," said Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee, quoted from AFP, Sunday 10 November.

The Israeli military burned the Lebanese flag with one of them singing the religious song ethnic Jews.

However, Israel's military clarification was not accompanied by any sanctions that would punish their soldiers during the land invasion of Lebanon.

Israeli Civilian Burns Palestinian Flag In The Netherlands

Israel's military response launched shortly from the action of supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv who lifted and burned the Palestinian flag in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv supporter came to Amsterdamu to support his idol team competing against Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League match on Thursday 7 November evening local time or Friday 8 November WIB.

However, instead of watching and supporting his proud team during the match, Maccabi supporters Tel Aviv provoked violence before the match outside the stadium.

Supporter Maccabi Tel Aviv tore the Palestinian flag, burned the symbol, sang the "anti-Arab" lyrics simultaneously, and attacked a taxi driver in Amsterdam's main square, Wednesday night, November 6.

"Hundreds of supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv came to Amsterdam, held a very vocal demonstration in the main square before the incident, raised the Israeli flag, and also lowered the Palestinian flag," said Al Jazeera journalist Step Vaessen, who reported directly from Amsterdam at the time of the incident.

Tensions exploded as Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters exited the stadium after his idol team were massacred 5-0 by hosts Ajax Amsterdam. A group of people using scooters crashed, hit, and kicked Maccabi supporters Tel Aviv on their way home.

According to Amsterdam City Council member Jazie Veldhuyzen, this violence was triggered by Israeli supporters Maccabi Tel Aviv's actions after arriving in Amsterdam and an attack on Palestinian supporters before the match.

"They started attacking people's homes in Amsterdam with Palestinian flags, so that's where the violence actually started," he said on Friday, November 8.

"As a reaction, Amsterdam residents mobilized themselves and fought the attack that began on Wednesday by Maccabi rioters," Veldhuyzen continued.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said supporters of the Tel Aviv Maccabi made a number of "criminal incitement to violence, anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia" while traveling to Ajax Amsterdam headquarters.

PFA then waited for FIFA's real reaction regarding Maccabi supporters Tel Aviv's actions in Amsterdam with a large amount of evidence circulating.

As a result of the tension triggered by this supporters, the police have arrested 62 people in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, supporters Maccabi Tel Aviv were rescued by the Israeli government by sending a special plane for their return.

Netanyahu And His Allies' Reactions

Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benyamin Netanyahu saw the terrible events experienced by his citizens in Amsterdam.

Without deepening the trigger, Netanyahu demanded that the Dutch government and its officials take firm action and quickly deal with riots and ensure the safety of Israelis.

Netanyahu also ordered Israel's Mossad or intelligence agency to plan to prevent violence from its citizens while attending events abroad.

In line with Israel, its allies of the United States (US) immediately accused the riots in Amsterdam of Antisemitism.

We have been in touch with Israeli and Dutch officials and respect the commitment of Dutch authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable. We must be persistent against Antisemitism, wherever it emerges," US President Joe Biden said on his X account.

UEFA's actions?

Meanwhile, UEFA did not give a firm statement in response to the riots in Amsterdam. UEFA only condemned the incident but confirmed it would examine all official reports for further investigations that were not explained when it would be announced.

"UEFA will examine all official reports, collect available evidence, assess them and evaluate further action in accordance with the relevant regulatory framework," UEFA said in a statement.