Paris police have announced that a significant security operation will be in place for the upcoming UEFA Nations League match between France and Israel on Thursday, November 14, at the Stade de France, following last week’s violent attacks on Israeli fans in Amsterdam.
The French authorities are deploying 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff to secure the event, as tensions remain high after the antisemitic violence in the Netherlands.
According to Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez, 2,500 officers will be stationed around the stadium and an additional 1,500 officers will patrol public transportation networks in Paris to ensure safety during the high-risk event.
“There’s a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for us,” Nuñez said in a statement to French news broadcaster BFM TV. “We won’t tolerate any violence,” he added.
To further secure the event, an anti-terrorist security perimeter will be set up around the Stade de France, with reinforced security checks, including mandatory pat-downs and bag searches.
This comes after a disturbing wave of violence in Amsterdam, where Israeli fans were attacked following a European competition match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The attacks, believed to have been sparked by social media calls to target Jewish people, resulted in five injuries and several arrests. The violence was quickly condemned by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel, and across Europe as antisemitic.
In response to the situation, the Israeli National Security Council issued a warning urging its citizens abroad to avoid sports and cultural events, especially the France-Israel match.
The statement cautioned against the risk of violent attacks that could be masked as demonstrations.
The violence in Amsterdam and the escalating tensions have raised concerns ahead of the match in Paris, with French authorities taking no chances in ensuring the safety of both teams and spectators.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend the match, underscoring the importance of the event as a symbol of solidarity and support for the Israeli people in the wake of the attacks.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed that the match would go ahead as planned, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in the face of such violence.
“For a symbolic reason, we must not yield, we must not give up,” Retailleau said. “Sports fans from around the world came together for the Paris Olympics this year to celebrate the ‘universal values’ of sports,” he added.
The Elysee presidential palace also confirmed that Macron’s attendance at the match is intended to send a powerful message of fraternity and solidarity, especially in light of the antisemitic incidents that followed the Amsterdam game.
As the match approaches, French authorities, along with their Israeli counterparts, are continuing to coordinate efforts to maintain a safe environment for fans and to prevent any repeat of the violence witnessed in the Netherlands.
With heightened security and a clear message of unity, the France-Israel Nations League match will take place under the watchful eyes of thousands of law enforcement officers, as the world watches closely for any signs of unrest.