Israel

Alkmaar mayor Anja Schouten has reaffirmed the ban on Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters for the October 15 Europa League match against AZ, citing security risks linked to the 2024 Amsterdam violence. Israel has applied diplomatic pressure, including a call from the ambassador and a foreign minister-level discussion, but the municipality stands firm. A US-based legal group is considering a discrimination lawsuit.

Balad party leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his Knesset candidacy after the Israeli Supreme Court indicated it would disqualify him. The move reduces Arab Israeli representation in the October 27 election, where Arab parties were seen as potential kingmakers. For internationals in the Netherlands, the case echoes Dutch debates on minority political participation and may influence Dutch foreign policy discourse.