France increases security ahead of football match against 'Israel'
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French authorities have strengthened security ahead of the upcoming France vs. "Israel" football match, amid a rise in anti-"Israel" protests.
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French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the French Tech event at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on February 20, 2023. (AP)
France is ramping up security measures ahead of a football match Thursday between France and "Israel", as anti-"Israel" movements are intensifying in Europe. French authorities said that security plans have taken place to prevent similar clashes that took place in Amsterdam last week.
President Emmanuel Macron has announced he will attend the game to “send a message of fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable antisemitic acts” that followed last week's Europa League match between Amsterdam’s Ajax and "Israel’s" Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Laurent Nunez, the police chief of the Paris region, said “extremely reinforced measures” would be put in place, taking into account lessons from Amsterdam, namely that clashes took place not only at the stadium but also around the city and on public transport.
“We need to be present all over . . . in the center of Paris,” he told BFMTV on Sunday, adding that “incidents could potentially happen anywhere.”
A total of 2,500 police officers will be deployed at the Stade de France, located on the northern outskirts of Paris, while an additional 1,500 officers will be stationed across public transport networks and spread throughout the capital to ensure security.
It is important to note that this force is double the usual deployment for high-risk matches, which typically involves up to 2,000 officers. Additionally, around 1,600 private security guards will be stationed at the stadium. On another note, ticket sales have been sluggish, with only around 20,000 tickets sold for a stadium that caters to approximately 80,000 spectators.
Read next: Amsterdam events anti-Zionist not antisemitic: Israeli think tank head
Israeli provocations in Amsterdam
Violence erupted across Amsterdam, the Netherlands, last Thursday when supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv stormed through the city, tearing down Palestinian flags displayed on private property and chanting incendiary slogans, according to reports and footage circulated widely on social media platforms.
The events, which unfolded before and after Maccabi’s match against Ajax, have ignited widespread outrage, with accounts of Israeli fans clashing with bystanders, damaging property, and burning the Palestinian flags.
In response to the incidents, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced what he claimed was a "very violent incident against Israeli citizens in Amsterdam" and announced the dispatch of rescue planes to assist Israelis in the Dutch city.
Moreover, Dutch police arrested six people Tuesday protesting in front of Amsterdam's city hall after an anti-protest ban was imposed following the clashes in the European capital last week.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that the Dutch government is being held responsible for the escalation, having banned a pro-Palestine demonstration and arrested several supporters while allowing Israeli demonstrators to stage protests, carry out provocations, and remove Palestinian flags.
