It’s cool but the sun is shining this Thursday in Amsterdam (Netherlands). The day promises to be beautiful for Ami, a 39-year-old sports photojournalist, and her 13-year-old son. The two Israelis discover the Dutch capital before attending the football match between Ajax – the city’s flagship club – and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
The morning goes off without incident for father and son, but the tension is palpable in the streets. Hundreds of Israeli fans traveled to watch the Europa League match and Dutch police were notified of several incidents. A Palestinian flag is torn off a facade on Max Euweplein Square in central Amsterdam. Law enforcement officers have to break up a fight that threatens to break out between taxi drivers and visitors. The evening before, Maccabi supporters already destroyed a taxi, according to the capital’s police chief. Everyone is on edge.
