French authorities have ramped up security in Paris as tensions rise ahead of a high-stakes France-Israel Nations League soccer match at the Stade de France on Thursday. This follows violent clashes in Amsterdam last week between Israeli soccer fans and locals after a Europa League game involving Maccabi Tel Aviv. With diplomatic strains between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the stakes are high for maintaining peace at the event.
In a substantial move, around 4,000 police officers will be stationed in and around the Stade de France, as well as on public transport, Paris police confirmed. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez described the security measure as “exceptional” and significantly greater than usual. To prevent political displays, only French and Israeli flags will be allowed inside the stadium.
President Macron plans to attend the game, demonstrating solidarity amid the heightened tensions. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau affirmed that the game would go ahead as scheduled, despite last week’s clashes.
However, fan turnout is expected to be sparse, with only 20,000 fans anticipated in the 80,000-seat stadium. French supporters’ group Les Irreductibles Français revealed that about 15% of surveyed fans intend to boycott the match due to the Israel-Gaza war, while 30% cited security concerns as a reason to stay away.
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The match comes amid a surge in reported anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents across France, which hosts Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim communities. According to France’s Human Rights Commission, anti-Semitic acts rose by an unprecedented 284% in 2023, with anti-Muslim incidents also up by about a third.
Last week’s incident in Amsterdam left at least five Israelis injured, heightening security fears among French Jews. Aurélien Bernheïm, co-founder of the Movement for French Jews, shared that while his group plans to attend, safety concerns persist among members who recalled the violence in Amsterdam.
Conversely, some French fans remain unfazed. “I’m not worried,” said Yannick Vanhee, leader of a French supporters association in Dunkirk. “Authorities have been putting more and more security into these events.”
On the Palestinian side, Walid Attalah, president of the Associations of Palestinians in Ile-de-France, argued that the match should have been canceled, citing double standards in international sports. “Russia was banned over Ukraine, yet Israel faces no sanctions,” he remarked, highlighting frustrations within the community.
As Paris braces for this high-tension match, French authorities are focused on ensuring a peaceful game amid deepening global and local divisions over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
