Paris steps up security for France vs Israel UEFA Nations League match; Israel urges fans to stay away

Israel has advised its fans to steer clear of Thursday’s France-Israel football match, amid concerns it could become a flashpoint following recent violent incidents during a game in Amsterdam involving an Israeli club. Despite the anticipated presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and heightened security measures, Israeli officials on Sunday warned fans of potential safety risks.

A right-wing Jewish organization has nonetheless announced a pre-game rally ahead of the Nations League match.

Paris police to make security arrangements

The Paris game comes a week after clashes in Amsterdam during a fixture between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax, which saw injuries to approximately two dozen people and over 60 arrests. Leaders from Israel, the United States, the Netherlands, and Europe denounced the violence as “anti-Semitic.”

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With the Paris match deemed high-risk, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez confirmed that 4,000 officers will be stationed around the Stade de France, public transit, and other strategic locations in the city. Speaking to BFMTV, Nunez noted that such an extensive deployment was “highly unusual” for an international match and confirmed that elite units would be protecting Israel’s players. “We will not tolerate any breaches of public order,” he said.

In Jerusalem, the National Security Council urged Israelis to avoid events involving Israeli participants, particularly noting the upcoming match in Paris. It also advised citizens against displaying any identifiable Israeli or Jewish symbols due to safety concerns in various European cities, including Paris.

The match takes place amid a climate of increased anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

President Macron’s office confirmed he would attend the match as a gesture of solidarity after what he called the “intolerable acts of anti-Semitism” seen in Amsterdam. The incident drew condemnation from leaders worldwide, including U.S. President Joe Biden and European officials. Some reports also indicated anti-Arab chants during the Amsterdam events, according to the Palestinian foreign ministry.

Also Read | Israeli fans raised anti-Arab slogans, burned Palestine flag before being attacked: Report

As the Europa League game approached, tensions had escalated, with groups reportedly targeting Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in “hit-and-run” assaults. These incidents followed reports that some Maccabi fans were singing anti-Palestinian chants, and there were accounts of Palestinian flags being desecrated.

Jew group plans anti-Semitism protest in Paris

The Amsterdam police recorded a series of incidents linked to both groups, including property damage and social media calls for attacks. Following the unrest, the police extended a mask-wearing ban and announced further arrests are anticipated.

In Paris, the right-wing Jewish movement Betar is planning an anti-Semitism protest ahead of the Nations League game. Betar’s international CEO, Yigal Brand, expressed anger over the Amsterdam violence, stating, “We are proud Zionists and have nothing to apologize for.”

Israeli officials had previously cautioned fans about potential risks at another Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game in Bologna, which ultimately concluded without conflict.

Following the disturbances in Amsterdam, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Mossad intelligence agency to create a strategy to prevent similar incidents at international events.

With agency inputs