France adds extra security for Israeli soccer match


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Paris authorities have unveiled robust security measures in preparation for the highly anticipated France-Israel soccer match scheduled for Thursday. In a statement on Sunday, Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez disclosed that a formidable force of 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed to ensure safety within the Stade de France stadium, its environs, and on public transportation.

Nuñez acknowledged the context of tensions surrounding the match, labeling it a “high-risk event” that warrants heightened vigilance. He asserted, “We won’t tolerate any violence,” underscoring the authorities’ unwavering stance against any potential unrest.

The security arrangements encompass a comprehensive approach, with 2,500 police officers assigned to the stadium’s perimeter, while an additional 1,500 will be stationed strategically across Paris and on public transportation routes.

“There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium,” Nuñez affirmed, indicating the seriousness with which authorities view the potential threats. Furthermore, he revealed that security checks would be intensified, including systematic pat-downs and bag searches, leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of all attendees.

Nuñez highlighted the collaboration between French organizers and Israeli authorities and security forces, emphasizing the coordinated efforts undertaken to prepare for the high-profile match.

The heightened security measures come in the wake of a harrowing incident last week in Amsterdam, where Israeli fans were assaulted by mobs of young individuals allegedly instigated by social media calls to target Jewish people. The attacks, which left five people hospitalized and dozens arrested, were widely condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel, and across Europe.

In an ominous development on Sunday, Dutch police detained several individuals participating in a demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been prohibited following the violence targeting Israeli fans, as reported by local broadcasters.

Despite the concerns, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed on Friday that the France-Israel match would proceed as scheduled. “I think that for a symbolic reason we must not yield, we must not give up,” he asserted, emphasizing the importance of upholding the “universal values” of sports, as exemplified by the recent Paris Olympics, where fans from around the world gathered in celebration.

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