Thousands of police officers are being deployed in Paris to ensure the security of Thursday’s football match between France and Israel, following last week’s violence in Amsterdam where Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were attacked.
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez announced that 4,000 officers will be on duty, with 2,500 stationed at the Stade de France in the northern suburbs and the remainder on public transport and throughout the city.
Additionally, around 1,600 private security personnel will be present at the stadium, and an elite anti-terrorist unit will be protecting the visiting Israeli team.
“It is a high-risk match because of an extremely tense geopolitical context,” Mr. Nuñez stated. “We will not allow any attempt to disturb public order.”
The UEFA Nations League match is under heavy scrutiny following last Thursday’s altercations between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in the Netherlands.
The Stade de France, which can accommodate 80,000 spectators, will only be a quarter full. Following recommendations from the Israeli government, no more than 100 Israeli fans are expected to travel to Paris, though other supporters of Israel might attend.
European politicians have condemned what they see as a resurgence of antisemitism after Israeli fans were pursued through the streets of Amsterdam.
Maccabi fans were also involved in vandalism, including tearing down a Palestinian flag, attacking a taxi, and chanting anti-Arab slogans, according to city authorities. They were subsequently targeted by small groups of rioters on foot, scooters, or in cars, the city noted in a 12-page report.
Violence between Israel and its neighbours in the Middle East has the potential to spill over into Europe.
France, Belgium, and the Netherlands all have significant Muslim populations of North African descent living alongside smaller Jewish communities, who generally have strong ties to Israel.
To show solidarity with European Jews after the events in Amsterdam, President Emmanuel Macron has announced he will attend Thursday’s match, which kicks off at 20:45 (19:45 GMT).
He will be joined by Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Fans have been advised to anticipate identity checks before the game. Bars and restaurants in the vicinity have been instructed to close in the afternoon.
The Stade de France was previously the site of significant disorder during the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in 2022. However, the venue has since hosted the Rugby World Cup and the Paris Olympics without incident.
France’s far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, which supports Palestinians and Lebanese in their conflicts with Israel, has called for Thursday’s match to be cancelled or, at the very least, for President Macron to boycott the event.
“We do not want our head of state honouring a country that commits genocide,” said LFI deputy David Guiraud. Israel has dismissed accusations of genocide as unfounded and grossly misrepresented.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that cancelling or relocating the match is not an option. “France does not give way to those who sow hatred,” he asserted.
France and Israel are in the same group in the UEFA competition, alongside Italy and Belgium. In their first leg, played in Budapest, France defeated Israel 4-1.
Pre-match tensions were further heightened by the approval of a pro-Israeli gala event in Paris on Wednesday evening, which was expected to feature far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich, although it was later believed he would participate via video link.
Frances Ibiefo
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