‘Crush the Jews’: Croatia leaders, Israel embassy slam pro-Nazi chants ahead of soccer match

Croatian leaders and Israel's embassy condemned pro-Nazi and antisemitic chants by Hajduk Split fans ahead of their match against Ajax. Fans chanted 'Crush the Jews' and 'Rise up Adolf.' Dozens were detained. President Milanovic and PM Plenkovic condemned the incident. Hajduk Split apologized. The article also includes a fundraising appeal for The Times of Israel. Croatia has a history of ultra-nationalist fan behavior, including a 2015 swastika incident.

Croatian leaders and Israel's embassy condemned pro-Nazi and antisemitic chants by Hajduk Split soccer fans ahead of their UEFA Conference League match against Ajax. Groups of Hajduk Split fans, known as the Torcida, marched through the coastal town of Split chanting 'Crush the Jews,' 'Rise up Adolf [Hitler],' and 'Let's go Ustasha,' referring to the country's World War II pro-Nazi regime. Dozens of fans were detained for violence, and an investigation was opened. President Zoran Milanovic called the incident 'unacceptable and shameful,' urging swift action. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also condemned the antisemitic messages. Israel's embassy in Zagreb said it was 'deeply shocked.' Hajduk Split apologized to UEFA and Ajax. The article notes Croatia's history of ultra-nationalist fan behavior, including a 2015 incident where fans painted a swastika on the pitch. The article concludes with a fundraising appeal for The Times of Israel.