International match between France and Israel becomes “high-risk behavior”

France has introduced massive protective measures ahead of its international match against Israel following an attack on Israeli fans in Amsterdam. Because extremists everywhere are mobilizing. But why did President Macron also announce his attendance?

Stefan Brändle, Paris/ch media

The “shame of Amsterdam” should not be repeated in Paris. The French government's pledge comes after pro-Palestinian sympathizers brutally attacked fans of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The French national team will face Israel at home in the Nations League next Thursday. As Laurent Nuñez, the police chief in charge, explained, the match at the Stade de France in northern Paris was already a “high-risk act”.

The warning was not just about the “targeted anti-Semitic attacks” that Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schof pointed out last Friday after Ajax's Euro 2016 match against Maccabi. In Paris and its suburbs (home to the Stade de France), Israeli military operations in Gaza have also caused uproar following the Hamas attack on 7 October. Anti-Semitic attacks in France quadrupled in 2023 compared to the previous year, to more than 1,600.

Amid this tense situation, extremists added fuel to the fire ahead of the France-Israel football match. During Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG's) Champions League home match against Atletico Madrid, the club's largest fan club “Collectif Ultras Paris” unfurled huge banners across the entire pitch at the Parc des Princes. The inscription reads “Free Palestine,” with the “i” representing the outline of Israel as Palestinian territory.

Questioning anti-Semitism about the Jewish state? In any case, the flag of the extreme PSG fans confirms that today's PSG supporters are mainly recruited from young people in the suburbs of the Maghreb.

Governor Nunez announced that security precautions will be “significantly enhanced” at Thursday's international match between France and Israel. The Israeli team was protected by elite troops on arrival and departure. All flags except those of France and Israel will be banned from the stadium. Attendance was 20,000 people instead of the normal 80,000 spectators; everyone had to show ID.

Nunez acknowledged it was a “very unusual” security arrangement. The original planned number of 2,500 police officers will be increased to 4,000. The number is similar to the number of closely guarded events at the Olympics in August. Most law enforcement officers will be stationed around the Stade de France and, no doubt, in Parisian Jewish neighborhoods such as the Marais district and in front of synagogues.

Israel's National Security Council advised its citizens not to attend international matches. It is said that Israelis are generally supposed to avoid sports and cultural events.

showdown in paris

One of the hallmarks of Israeli politics is that extremist representatives of the country's leadership travel to Paris in person, thereby intentionally or unintentionally fanning the flames of emotion. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hopes to accept an invitation from Jewish nationalist associations such as Betar to attend a gala called “Israel Forever” in Paris the day before the international competition. On Thursday, he planned to attend a protest rally against anti-Semitism on the sidelines of a football game.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is also well known to French suburbanites.Image: trapezoid

Smotrich has been criticized not only by Israeli left-wing parties and trade unions; His name has also become a household name among French suburbanites since he campaigned for the Israeli government to occupy the West Bank.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would attend the international match to convey “a message of brotherhood and solidarity after the unacceptable anti-Semitic acts in Amsterdam.” However, Paris media asked whether his attendance, which was only announced on Sunday, would lead to further politicization of the sporting event.

The first question is to what extent the presence of the French head of state represents support for Israel. If France scores against Israel, he cheers loudly. (aargauerzeitung.ch/lyn)

Emre Can's rash actions have ruined a strong showing in recent games. His varied performances have been emblematic of a Dortmund side that has been reliable in its ups and downs in recent years.

“This is again a typical situation.”