Old video from Russia resurfaces as brawl in Amsterdam following clashes

A misleading video is circulating on social media showing two men fighting on the street, supposedly in Amsterdam during the trouble that took place in the Dutch capital before and after a football match. 

The video, which has a watermark of the Telegram channel “Mash”, has been reshared on social media platforms, including YouTube and X, using hashtags like Europe and Ajax.

Some of the users who reshared the video wrote captions such as "Zionists when facing men" or calling the man in red pants "zionist".

The post claims to show a 28-second video of a brawl between Israeli football fans and pro-Palestine demonstrators. 

However, that is not the case. 

The video is actually footage of an incident that occurred in Russia outside of Lookin Rooms nightclub in November 2021. 

On closer inspection, we can identify with the help of a reverse image search that the video takes place on Tverskaya Street in Moscow.  

Elements such as the building architecture, the pharmacy and the clothes brand United Colors of Benetton behind the bus stop, make the place identifiable.

Local media reported that the fight lasted between 15 and 20 minutes after both men had an initial disagreement at the entrance of the club.

The original clip was filmed by witnesses.

Two people were killed during the clash and some were injured. 

What happened in Amsterdam?

Thousands of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters arrived in the Dutch capital ahead of the match with Ajax Amsterdam on Wednesday.

However, the tensions peaked on Friday.

Local police reported Maccabi supporters set a Palestinian flag on fire in Dam Square and ripped other flags off the walls of residential homes. 

The police also said Israeli fans vandalised a taxi, which led to clashes between around 400 Israeli Maccabi fans and taxi drivers from across the Dutch capital.

As misinformation about last week’s clashes arises on social media platforms, European leaders labelled the attacks on Israeli supporters as antisemitic. 

This incident threatens to escalate the already simmering polarisation between the two communities.