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France Bolsters Security for France-Israel Soccer Match Amid Rising Tensions

Thursday 14 November 2024 - 10:55

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Ahead of an upcoming soccer match between France and Israel, France is set to deploy thousands of police officers across Paris, seeking to prevent incidents similar to the recent clashes in Amsterdam involving Israeli fans and locals. The increased security presence reflects the heightened sensitivities in Europe due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

Around 4,000 officers are expected to be on duty in Paris, including 2,500 positioned around the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and 1,500 stationed across other parts of the city. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez highlighted that this security effort is “three to four times” greater than standard mobilizations. To minimize potential disruptions, only French and Israeli flags will be permitted inside the stadium, excluding other symbols such as Palestinian flags. French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to attend.

In addition to the significant police presence, authorities are authorized to use drones to monitor crowds, and the National Gendarmerie will deploy patrol teams to metro lines throughout the city. Attendance for the match is expected to be low, with reports suggesting only a quarter of the stadium’s 80,000 seats may be occupied, partly due to Israeli warnings for its citizens to avoid foreign sporting events.

This amplified security follows recent unrest after a soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which has put European authorities on high alert. Additional demonstrations in Paris, focused on various perspectives around the Israel-Gaza conflict, added to concerns, especially as attendees anticipated the visit of a controversial Israeli official to a Paris gala. Although the official later canceled his visit due to security concerns, demonstrations continued, with some resulting in confrontations between protesters and police.

Protesters at these events expressed opposition to Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza, noting the humanitarian toll reported by local officials, with a particularly high impact on women and children. According to recent U.N. estimates, women and children make up a significant proportion of the casualties since the conflict escalated after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Despite these challenges, demonstrators have vowed to continue their protests, determined to highlight the humanitarian impact of the conflict.