Sky News deletes report on Amsterdam attack after accusation of anti-Israel bias

Sky News has retracted and re-edited a report on the attack on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Amsterdam, following accusations of anti-Israel bias.

The initial report, posted on the network’s social media, depicted Israeli fans as instigators, alleging they had engaged in racist chants and noting that “Israeli far-right ultras are notorious for their racism and physical violence.”

The network subsequently deleted the video, issuing a new version with the contentious allegations of racism and physical violence removed. In an editor’s note, Sky News explained, “This is a re-edit of a previous video which didn’t meet Sky News’ standards for balance and impartiality.”

The initial report, titled “Violence in Amsterdam: What We Know So Far,” extensively covered the alleged actions of Israeli fans, presenting scenes of hooliganism. Clips showed Israeli supporters removing Palestinian flags and chanting slogans, yet stated that footage of violence against the Israeli fans “could not be verified.”

Both reports show videos of the Israeli side tearing down Palestinian flags in the city and chanting an anti-Arab song, but when it came to depicting the violence perpetrated against the Israeli supporters, both reports stated, “Sky News could not independently verify all of the footage shown.”

Sky has been criticised by Israel’s supporters and detractors for its reporting on the attack.

JC columnist Hen Mazzig tweeted, “This ‘re-edit’ of your original bias news report should be any better? It’s not. How many Israeli flags burned in London in the last year? How many chants to kill Jews? Too many to count. Yet, no violent mobs targeting Arabs.

“Why does Sky News keep justifying antisemitism?” Mazzig posted.

Meanwhile, Guardian columnist Owen Jones, a frequent critic of Israel shared the original video, commenting: “Sky News posted a video accurately describing what happened in Amsterdam. It described violence perpetrated by Israeli football hooligans and their hideous racism. They then deleted it.”

“This is a massive media scandal,” Jones claimed.

Thursday’s attack left five Israeli fans hospitalised, with alleged assailants arrested.

In widely circulated footage, an Israeli fan is seen fleeing into a canal to escape attackers, while another man pleads, “I am not Jewish” before being punched in the face. Another clip depicts a seemingly unconscious Israeli fan being repeatedly kicked.

The incident has drawn international condemnation, including from US President Joe Biden, who decried the attacks as “antisemitic” and reminiscent of “dark moments in history when Jews were persecuted.” In a statement, he affirmed, “We must relentlessly fight antisemitism, wherever it emerges.”

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was "horrified” by the “antisemitic attacks”. “I utterly condemn these abhorrent acts of violence and stand with Israeli and Jewish people across the world,” Lammy stated.

The JC reached out to Sky for comment.