France opens investigation into death threats against Israeli athletes at Paris Olympics

French police have opened an investigation into death threats against three Israeli athletes participating in Paris Olympics.

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas War and mounting antisemitism in France and elsewhere, Israeli athletes have increasingly come under threat. Messages sent to athletes by phone and email have threatened to repeat the 1972 Munich massacres .

In the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Palestinian terrorists had abducted and killed 11 Israeli athletes. They had also killed a German police officer.

In addition to death threats, the personal data of athletes has also been leaked online.

In the wake of such threats, elite tactical units are providing round-the-clock security to Israeli athletes, according to Reuters. Moreover, Israel has also sent armed agents who are coordinating security arrangements with French authorities.

France probes threats against Israeli athletes

The French prosecutor’s office said on Sunday that the police have opened an investigation into death threats against three Israeli athletes at the Paris Olympics, according to Reuters.

It further said that anti-cyber crime officers are also investigating the release of athletes’ personal data on social networks on Friday, as per the agency.

It further said that the cyber crime officers are also working to get the leaked data removed from the internet.

Israel Foreign Minister Israel Katz has warned his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné of a potential Iranian-backed plot to target Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympics. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Katz also said Israel had information that Iran was also behind the rail sabotage in France ahead of the opening ceremony of Olympics.

Israel sends armed agents for athletes’ protection

The Israeli government has sent armed agents from Shin Bet, domestic intelligence agency of Israel, to protect Israeli athletes taking part in Paris Olympics.

Ahead of the opening ceremony of Olympics, Israeli minister Miki Zohar told The Daily Telegraph that 88 athletes and staff part of the Israeli delegation will have Shin Bet’s protection. He added that the security arrangements for Paris Olympics had been in the making for over a year.

Zohar further said, “We know there are threats (against the team) but we don’t want to talk about it…We try our best to make sure the athletes feel free but also safe and not afraid. We don’t want them to notice the security guards too much. We want them to feel confident so they can do their job.”