When chaos erupted in Amsterdam between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax fans, photographer Annet de Graaf watched the violence unfold across the city first-hand.
Her footage of Maccabi fans attacking a Dutch resident went viral, and was picked up by several media outlets, who then spun a different narrative that it was the Israelis being attacked.
Headlines poured in about antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam. But these stories largely overlooked on-camera, blatant, anti-Arab racism from Maccabi supporters.
In an exclusive interview, de Graaf tells Mehdi that outlets like CNN, BBC World News, and the New York Times “told the opposite of what happened in that footage.” She adds that they erased the responsibility of the Maccabi fans behind the attacks because “the truth is inconvenient.”
Watch the video above to hear how de Graaf witnessed the violence unfold and how she’s handling the fallout from the misuse of her footage — and the threats against her from the Islamophobic far right in the Netherlands.
For more on the Amsterdam rioting, and how it was misrepresented by the mainstream media, be sure to check out academic Marc Owen Jones’s latest piece for Zeteo: Innocent Israelis, Bad Arabs? How the Media Scripted Amsterdam's Soccer Violence
Thank you for pushing back so quickly on this, Mehdi. And Annette thank you for showing the strength and integrity to stick by the truth of your experience and footage.
Help. Was mainstream media always this bias?
Long answer, short answer? Since at least the days of Reagan. Yes.
We are all sick of fascistic, sadistic Israelis and the complicity of the US and western european media from lying. No different than the abuse of the university students by police and Israeli zio beating up students in LA
Thank you, Annet de Graaf, for your courage in speaking the truth of what you witnessed and filmed on video. Also, thank you, Mehdi, for bringing this account of media obfuscation to the attention of your readers and viewers.
Look, when these people become psychopathic genocidal murderers it is OK to say you are anti Israeli. We cannot use anti Semitic; that wouldn't be right but the other term is warranted IMHO. Israelis should not be allowed to hide behind the term antiSemitic anymore - they use that as a shield to stifle criticism of anything they do. Well to hell with that I say. By the way, Mehdi's guest today looks a lot like Xaviera Hollander (also a Dutch lady) and I wonder how many people remember who she was. Of course Annet de Graaf is not her.
Not to forget, calling this an "anti-Semitic pogrom," as if this was Eastern Europe or Russia in the late 19th century or Kristallnacht is not only absurd (there's far too much evidence to the contrary), but deeply insulting to those who perished or whose lives were unalterably ruined by anti-Jewish depravity in Tsarist Russia and Nazi Germany.
This is why we subscribe and support Zeteo. Mainstream journalism is unethical and simply a bad product. Thank you Medhi
We're indeed living in an upside down world...
Brilliant interview.
I hope members of the American media outlets watched this interview so they understand why we, the American public, consider them FAKE MEDIA. All their reporting, and election polls are fake as this past presidential election has confirmed to all of us. And then we see them on their networks asking why the American public turned away from their channels, newspapers and reporting.
I am starting to wonder if Trump was right when he called the American media FAKE NEWS. At first, I thought Trump is nuts living in an alternative reality, but their coverage of Israeli hologans and the last election has proved Trump was right all along about the fakeness of the American media and its supposed reporting of the news. I come to the realization that the American media is absolute garbage. It clearly adheres to AIPAC's directives pushing on us propoganda reports and fake news.
Mehdi Hassan, Thank you for exposing the truth to us. You will probably have a target on your back by members of the American media because you have outshined the entire American media industry and put them to shame. Since they became adherents to AIPAC's directives of how to report, they became similar to third world country medias under authoratrian regimes that produce fake reporting and news to keep their public delouted about the reality of their environment.
Keep reporting. And make sure you set up zeteo also in Canada and the UK, in case members of the fake American media push Trump administration after you. This way zeteo's voice will continue exposing the fake American media and its propogandist members. Their journalism degrees are not worth the ink they are printed with.
I am increasing my payments to zeteo.
G-d Bless
That is such a good point! Seeing shit twisted like this makes you wonder if Trump was right about MSM after all! Thank you Annette and Mehdi for letting us know the truth
Bravo Mehdi
Why is the main media form the US and Europe are twisting the facts and turning it around with blatant lies? Who are we to believe?
gosh Annette you're brave. Join Zeteo :)
Thank you, Mehdi! So glad I subscribed to Zeteo
I’m grateful to you Mehdi, Zeteo, and Ms De Graaf for setting the record straight. Now, will CNN put her on and issue an apology for their massive distortion of the facts?? Of course they won’t.
If you watch the documentary "Israelism" you will understand how Zionism transformed Israeli society to radicalism. Zionism is the committing war crimes and labeling it in the name if jews. Zionism is on the highest rank of anti-semitism
It is a gross misuse of the term "anti-Semitism" and a total misrepresentation of what happened. Really makes you worry about many things we've been told about world events- this crap is how nutjob conspiracy theorists are made.
What can we do to support Annet de Graaf to follow through on demanding a public broadcast from CNN and the like for misrepresenting her work. Is there any legal Avenue to take to set this right so it doesn’t happen again? So bizarre. It is an altered reality. What is the point of this deception? To ensure this stationary aircraft carrier the US calls israel continues as a convenient base of invasion of Western Asia? What is the endgame promoting these chronic lies?
We need to clearly reveal this insidious business plan in detail so laymen can understand
This seems like something pre-meditated.
Were media sources called in to support a propaganda effort?
So frustrating. The propaganda and excusing of Israeli extremism. Sick! It needs to stop. Maybe some media companies are being bribed or threatened in a big way? Or are just prejudice with no consideration to report facts? In any case, Mainstream media is losing integrity with such disinformation. Appreciate Annette’s integrity and steadfastness.
I live in the Netherlands now. I am Canadian. It is time for the Netherlands and Canada to recognize the state of Palestine in the UN. It is time for the EU to join Norway, Ireland and Spain and 143 other members of the UN before it's too late.
It's time to ban Israeli football. It's time to drop Israel from Eurovision. It's time to boycott, sanction and divest from all things Israel, just like they did from South Africa.
This is apartheid. This is ethnic cleansing. This is a genocide.
Ms. De Graaff should sue all these media outlets inc. the thug called American President for the ongoing blatant lies!!
Shocking!
We need more people like Annet around the world to tell the truths mainstream media will hide/lie in the pursuit of their own agenda.
Corporations should not own media outlets!!
It’s a brave life you live Annet thank you so much!!
What a difference to listen to an honest and decent person such as Annet compared to her would-be enemies. The mendacious lies of the terror regimes of Israel and USA and their unenlightened, entirely ignorant and repellent lackies will continue until hopefully they disappear up their own rears...I wish! All good wishes to this very brave lady to take on the worst types of humanity...so-called. Jeff.
Annet D Graaf just exposed the control of Israelis on the world media. Nothing new we have been talking about it for a long time, remember the 40 beheaded babies that came out of the mouth of US President Biden?
Thank you Zeteo for being there to show a mirror to the MSM for their lopsided Israeli propaganda.
Looking at the incoming administration's cabinet picks, it will get worse before it gets better. Keep up the good work, Mehdi, and stay safe. Thank you Zeteo for being there to show a mirror to the MSM for their lopsided Israeli propaganda.
Looking at the incoming administration's cabinet picks, it is going to get worse before it gets better. Keep up the good work, Mehdi, and stay safe.
Hate, racism, bias, etc., is now on steroids. (Appreciate Annette's courage and video reporting.) SO many just don't care for the truth.They just want to ignore it. Thanks, Zeteo for exposing mainstream media...AGAIN. I saw this and felt inspired to keep paying attention. https://youtu.be/BaCEtZnXWdY
Unbelievable how this world is twisted, I will never let anyone watch a media station that purposely twisted a story
I hope Annet stays safe.
Well, RB if this bill gets passed: the H.R.6090 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. Congress.gov.; it could put a muzzle on free speech.
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-05-07/explainer-the-controversy-surrounding-the-antisemitism-bill
Please, Western leaders and mainstream media, stop spreading this harmful and divisive misinformation. The framing of this incident in Amsterdam is so glaringly biased and intentionally stripped of crucial context that it’s beyond irresponsible—it’s unconscionable. This narrative isn’t just a mistake; it’s an outright psyop designed to divert the world’s attention from the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Maccabi Tel Aviv fans openly chant, “There are no schools in Gaza because all the kids are dead,” and rampage violently in Amsterdam, yet instead of condemning their actions, you twist it around to make them victims. Some of you even dare to call this a “pogrom” and outrageously compare it to Kristallnacht. Really? The only windows shattered were on homes displaying Palestinian flags—no synagogues or Jewish institutions were attacked. Yet you’re portraying this as one of history’s darkest nights? The moral absurdity is staggering.
This is yet another egregious example of Western leaders and mainstream media demonizing those who stand against genocide while covering up the actions of those committing it. Imagine if Russian fans chanted these same things about Ukrainians. Would you twist it into a story about their victimhood? Or would you condemn it without hesitation? This glaring double standard is more than hypocrisy—it’s dangerous. It’s a clear weaponization of antisemitism, reducing real Jewish suffering to a political tool, all to distract from the atrocities being inflicted on Gaza’s children and families.
Let’s face it: the damage intended by this narrative is done. Western leaders and media have spread the story, casting a false image of victimhood, and they’ll bury any corrections (if they even bother) deep in the news cycle, ensuring no one revisits them. You’ve effectively exploited antisemitism, eroding its meaning, to shield violent aggressors, with corrections tucked away where no one will see them—certainly nowhere near the top, where the lies first appeared.
The reality is, you’re not defending Jewish people. By conflating genuine antisemitism with any criticism of Israeli policy, you cheapen the actual threats Jews face and turn the concept of antisemitism into a cheap political weapon. This isn’t journalism; it’s a morally bankrupt assault on truth, designed to silence dissent and shield genocide.
Sources:
The Times of London: https://youtu.be/VPQuv4xrouU?si=SMHmMam7fbkQjo5C
France 24: https://youtu.be/cU4BLql_AhU?si=5rH2GNobM93VOv2o
Zeteo: https://youtu.be/ZjoQkPXA_us?si=mTsQVVDRsNU9yObG
Indie Nile: https://youtu.be/Aj5oc1liLH8?si=4w8csDcriHxLhiQp
Mondoweiss: https://mondoweiss.net/2024/11/nytimes-biased-coverage-of-amsterdam-soccer-violence-attempts-to-hide-israeli-racism/
Democracy Now!: https://youtu.be/ttS8pKwvoII?si=d94uxl63LCCwfrqF
Breaking Points: https://youtu.be/b8Jxt2ltVK0?si=4T-ZDzUjq7LgZSPY
Owen Jones: https://youtu.be/2HFM_V1rnPA?si=vdLzT9YiA5p9t6gT
Owen Jones: https://youtu.be/clHlvgOPrWY?si=Ir0UMoSp7tZjzb6k
Al Jazeera:
https://youtu.be/PiBIM3zVgeY?si=Uyn59xTPoYSS0AjV
https://youtu.be/r_9a0NZfd_4?si=h7IwFY3Wkm6j4LrW
Dutch Politician: https://youtu.be/lwobmhPNu2g?si=SPmhYZh8kkLUG6mH
Middle East Eye: https://youtu.be/FLglbgp9VwU?si=dNrY57L0_Pnc-b7U
The Greyzone: https://youtu.be/HPACAEYuSZU?si=CiCqy_C4VeONThv8
Janta Ka Reporter: https://youtu.be/TRtr7FZ97sM?si=34D4q6l6sjLYYYVw
Electronic Intifada (ei): https://youtu.be/e7dcM22hPOE?si=K2PBA_cOoWevkjX-
Gideon Levy of Haaretz: https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2024-11-10/ty-article-opinion/.premium/from-amsterdam-to-the-hawara-pogroms-are-wrong/00000193-128f-d304-a3db-16ff60fb0000
Double Down News: https://youtu.be/DvTyg1kJGzM?si=4I_HdAKrRR2GOLJ1
It truly beggars belief Israel was allowed to play in the Netherlands at such a time. Like this openly and expertly defined Genocide is all just a matter of opinion. Incredible.
How can we get some channels like ABC news - David Muer ? To see this
His entire segment last night portrayed the Israeli fans as the victims
This is scary!! When media and governments can so blatantly distort facts for which we have direct witness, imagine what they are doing with facts in Gaza, with no witnesses (except the victims) present. This would be a completely different war & world without smart phones.
thank you,