Israeli fans attacked in the Netherlands, Ackermann speaks out: My fund and Universal Music have withdrawn from Amsterdam

After the incident where Israeli fans were attacked in the Netherlands, hedge fund mogul Bill Ackman publicly called for a "boycott" of the Netherlands, intending for his hedge fund Pershing Square and the Universal Music Group, which he has the power to influence, to withdraw from Amsterdam.

On Friday, November 8th, Eastern Time, Ackman posted on X, announcing that he is seeking board approval from Pershing Square to delist the fund from the Euronext Amsterdam.

Ackman stated that the board is already considering this move, as Pershing Square's secondary listing in London currently accounts for over 90% of the total trading volume. He also mentioned,

"The events that occurred in Amsterdam over the past 24 hours provide a proper turning point for the board to conclude on delisting."

Ackman also revealed that he has begun discussions with Universal Music Group (UMG), where he serves as a director, about relocating the company's headquarters and listing from Amsterdam to the United States. He stated that Pershing Square will exercise its contractual rights to facilitate UMG's listing in the U.S. by sometime next year at the latest.

UMG's stock listed in Amsterdam hit a day low of nearly 1.5% during trading on Friday, but later rebounded to close up nearly 2%.

Pershing Square hit a day low of 1.1% during trading on Friday, briefly turning positive at midday, but ultimately closed down 0.75%.

The incident Ackman referred to in Amsterdam involved Israeli fans being attacked, which Israel described as anti-Semitic violence.

According to reports from CCTV, the Israeli side stated that on the evening of November 7th, during a UEFA Europa League group match, the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 0-5 to Ajax in an away game, and "Israeli fans were attacked as they left the stadium after the match."

CCTV learned that fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were attacked on the streets of Amsterdam by a group of masked individuals, some of whom were holding Palestinian flags and shouting "Free Palestine." However, CCTV mentioned that eyewitnesses on social media reported that Israeli fans sang provocative songs and shouted insulting language before and after the match, and tore down Palestinian flags from buildings, which led to the conflict

CCTV cited Dutch media reports that on the night of the 7th, Dutch riot police were forced to intervene multiple times, including protecting Israeli fans and escorting them to hotels. The reports stated that the rioters "actively sought out Israeli fans to attack and abuse them."

The Dutch police issued a statement on November 8th local time, stating that 62 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks on Israeli fans, and 5 others were hospitalized with injuries. The police confirmed that on the night of the 7th, Israeli fans were attacked and abused at several different locations in downtown Amsterdam.

The Israeli government described this as an "attack against Israeli citizens." Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shragai posted on social media that the attacks against Israelis in Amsterdam were "terroristic and barbaric," and "reminded Israelis of painful history."

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on the 8th, stating that Prime Minister Netanyahu requested Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and local security agencies to take "swift and decisive action to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens." Netanyahu also requested the dispatch of two planes to Amsterdam to bring back local Israeli citizens.

The Israel Defense Forces announced on the same day that, following the directives of Israeli government departments, they would cancel the "rescue mission" to the Dutch capital Amsterdam.

Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, posted on social media condemning the violent acts as a "pogrom."