To ensure safety during Thursday’s France-Israel football match, thousands of police will be deployed in Paris just a week after attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam.
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez announced that 4,000 officers will patrol key areas, with 2,500 stationed at Stade de France, 1,600 private security guards on duty, and an elite anti-terror unit securing the Israeli team. Due to the heightened security risk amid current geopolitical tensions, authorities vow to prevent disruptions.
The Stade de France will operate at only 25% capacity, with few Israeli fans expected due to travel warnings. However, after Amsterdam’s recent violence—where Israeli fans were targeted by rioters and, in turn, clashed with locals—European politicians have raised concerns over rising antisemitism.
President Emmanuel Macron, along with other high-ranking officials, will attend to show solidarity. Macron’s recent criticisms of Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon have caused tension with Israeli leaders, but France’s commitment to security remains firm. The far-left France Unbowed party, supporting Palestinian causes, has urged Macron to boycott the event, a call Macron’s administration has dismissed, emphasizing France’s stance against hate.
Local businesses near the stadium are advised to close early, and spectators can expect ID checks before entry. Protests also broke out in Paris, with pro-Palestinian groups rallying against an Israel-support event, leading to clashes with police. As France balances internal security and complex foreign relations, the match represents not only a sporting event but a test of public order amid the complex Middle Eastern political landscape.
