- Web Desk
- 1 Hour ago

France-Israel match: 4,000 officers deployed as protests erupt
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- Web Desk
- Nov 14, 2024

PARIS: Paris is set to implement extensive security measure for the upcoming France-Israel football match on Thursday, deploying thousands of additional police officers in response to recent violence in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors have been protesting Israel’s atrocities in Gaza.
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In light of clashes that erupted in Amsterdam prior to a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, French authorities decided to deploy 4,000 police officers.
According to reports, security protocol will include closing the first rows of stands to prevent pitch invasions and deploying plainclothes officers throughout the stadium.
Pro-Palestinian activists are calling for a boycott of the match, arguing that France should not host Israeli sports team while the country is engaged in military operations in Gaza, the occupied-West Bank and Lebanon.
The drew comparisons to the international response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, suggesting that similar actions should be taken against Israel.
Despite the heightened security, ticket sales for the match were slow, with only 20,000 of the 80,000 available seats sold.
Protests are planned in front of the Saint-Denis town hall, located a short distance from the Stade de France, with some also planned outside the stadium.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier are expected to attend the game, which they describe as a message of ‘solidarity’.
Macron’s office talked about the addressing anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, it completely ignored pro-Israel activists burning a Palestinian flag and chanting racist statements towards Palestinians.
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Several left-wing French lawmakers advocated for a boycott of the match, while calling for the exclusion of Israel form international sports competitions.
Meanwhile, former French presidents, Nicolas Sarkozy are expented to attend the match, as well.
