Paris — French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the highly anticipated football match between France and Israel on Thursday at the Stade de France, an event marked by heightened security measures and significant political undertones.
The match follows incidents of violence in Amsterdam earlier this week and is seen as a platform for Macron to express “fraternity and solidarity” in response to recent acts of anti-Semitism, as announced by his office on Sunday, November 10.
The increased security measures reflect concerns that tensions could escalate during the match, with the Paris police chief Laurent Nunez classifying it as a “high-risk” event.
An extensive deployment of around 4,000 police officers, including gendarmes, will be positioned across the stadium, on public transport, and at other strategic locations around the French capital. This intensified security setup aims to prevent any potential unrest and ensure the safety of players, attendees, and the public.
The announcement of Macron’s attendance comes shortly after the violent clashes in Amsterdam following a game between Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax.
These incidents, described as “anti-Semitic” by Israeli, Dutch, and European leaders, resulted in around two dozen injuries and sparked a wave of condemnation.
In response, Israeli authorities have advised their fans to avoid attending the Thursday match in Paris, warning of potential threats.
In solidarity with Israel, Betar, a right-wing pro-Israel movement with connections to Israeli conservative circles, plans to hold a rally in Paris against anti-Semitism ahead of the game.
Yigal Brand, CEO of World Betar, expressed outrage at the events in Amsterdam and issued a call for members and supporters to gather on Wednesday and Thursday in Paris to show their support.
“We are proud Zionists and have nothing to apologize for,” Brand stated, underscoring the movement’s stance in opposition to recent anti-Semitic incidents.
The rally is expected to be bolstered by the participation of the French Jewish student movement MEJF. The two organizations will also host Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Paris on Wednesday.
Smotrich, known for his far-right views, is expected to attend the “Israel Is Forever” gala, an event organized by individuals with similar ideological leanings.
His appearance has sparked controversy, with several French associations, unions, and left-leaning political groups expressing opposition, denouncing his visit as divisive given his political stance.
The recent surge in anti-Semitic incidents following the Amsterdam clash has fueled broader discussions on the security of Israeli sports events in Europe.
Last week, Israeli authorities also advised fans to skip a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game in Bologna, Italy, which concluded without incident.
However, the rising tensions have prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to instruct the Mossad intelligence agency to develop a strategy aimed at safeguarding Israeli supporters at international events.
Thursday’s match is not just a sporting event but also a reflection of the delicate political climate surrounding European-Israeli relations amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
For Macron, his attendance at the Stade de France sends a powerful message of unity and resilience against anti-Semitism.
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