In anticipation of the highly charged France versus Israel football match scheduled for Thursday, authorities in Paris are rolling out an extensive security operation. This comes in the wake of alarming violence involving Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam last week. Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez has announced that 4,000 officers will maintain order, with 2,500 assigned to the Stade de France and others patrolling public transport and the city itself.
In addition to police presence, around 1,600 private security personnel will be stationed at the stadium, and an elite anti-terrorism unit will guard the visiting Israeli team. Nuñez labeled the match as "high-risk," citing the current geopolitical tensions. “We will not allow any attempt to disturb public order,” he emphasized.
The UEFA Nations League encounter is already facing scrutiny due to the chaos that ensued during last week’s match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Netherlands. Although the Stade de France can accommodate 80,000 spectators, attendance will be limited to a quarter of that capacity, as the Israeli government has advised a minimal number of fans—approximately 100—to travel to the match.
European politicians have condemned a resurgence of antisemitism, sparked by incidents where Israeli fans were attacked in Amsterdam. Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters also faced backlash after engaging in vandalism, which included tearing down a Palestinian flag and chanting anti-Arab slogans, as documented in a city report.
With rising tensions between Israel and its neighbors influencing incidents across Europe, the situation requires careful monitoring. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are home to substantial Muslim populations of North African descent, living alongside smaller yet significant Jewish communities. To show support for European Jews, President Emmanuel Macron plans to attend the match alongside Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Set to kick off at 20:45 local time (19:45 GMT), organizers have warned attendees to expect stringent identity checks, and nearby restaurants and bars have been instructed to close in the afternoon. The Stade de France has had a tumultuous past, last noted for a breakdown of order during the UEFA Champions League final in 2022, though events like the Rugby World Cup and Paris Olympics have since gone off without issue.
Meanwhile, France’s far-left party, LFI, is pushing for the match to be cancelled, indicating disapproval of the event honoring Israel during current crises. “We do not want our head of state honoring a country that commits genocide,” LFI deputy David Guiraud stated, though Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated the match would proceed to uphold social order.
France and Israel are grouped together in the UEFA competition, alongside Italy and Belgium, with France having previously secured a victory against Israel with a score of 4-1 in Budapest.
In the lead-up to the match, tensions became evident as pro-Israeli events sparked protests in Paris, leading to clashes where police deployed tear gas against demonstrators targeting a McDonald's establishment. Recent diplomatic relations between Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have grown strained over various issues, including controversial statements from both leaders regarding the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
The evolving political landscape reflects Macron’s fluctuating stance on Middle Eastern affairs, where his support oscillates between Israel and its Arab neighbors, further complicating an already intricate situation.
In addition to police presence, around 1,600 private security personnel will be stationed at the stadium, and an elite anti-terrorism unit will guard the visiting Israeli team. Nuñez labeled the match as "high-risk," citing the current geopolitical tensions. “We will not allow any attempt to disturb public order,” he emphasized.
The UEFA Nations League encounter is already facing scrutiny due to the chaos that ensued during last week’s match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Netherlands. Although the Stade de France can accommodate 80,000 spectators, attendance will be limited to a quarter of that capacity, as the Israeli government has advised a minimal number of fans—approximately 100—to travel to the match.
European politicians have condemned a resurgence of antisemitism, sparked by incidents where Israeli fans were attacked in Amsterdam. Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters also faced backlash after engaging in vandalism, which included tearing down a Palestinian flag and chanting anti-Arab slogans, as documented in a city report.
With rising tensions between Israel and its neighbors influencing incidents across Europe, the situation requires careful monitoring. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are home to substantial Muslim populations of North African descent, living alongside smaller yet significant Jewish communities. To show support for European Jews, President Emmanuel Macron plans to attend the match alongside Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Set to kick off at 20:45 local time (19:45 GMT), organizers have warned attendees to expect stringent identity checks, and nearby restaurants and bars have been instructed to close in the afternoon. The Stade de France has had a tumultuous past, last noted for a breakdown of order during the UEFA Champions League final in 2022, though events like the Rugby World Cup and Paris Olympics have since gone off without issue.
Meanwhile, France’s far-left party, LFI, is pushing for the match to be cancelled, indicating disapproval of the event honoring Israel during current crises. “We do not want our head of state honoring a country that commits genocide,” LFI deputy David Guiraud stated, though Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated the match would proceed to uphold social order.
France and Israel are grouped together in the UEFA competition, alongside Italy and Belgium, with France having previously secured a victory against Israel with a score of 4-1 in Budapest.
In the lead-up to the match, tensions became evident as pro-Israeli events sparked protests in Paris, leading to clashes where police deployed tear gas against demonstrators targeting a McDonald's establishment. Recent diplomatic relations between Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have grown strained over various issues, including controversial statements from both leaders regarding the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
The evolving political landscape reflects Macron’s fluctuating stance on Middle Eastern affairs, where his support oscillates between Israel and its Arab neighbors, further complicating an already intricate situation.
