France steps up security for Israel match after violence in Amsterdam

France Increased security for the national football team’s match against Israel on Thursday to prevent a repeat of the same incident violence Amsterdam.

France and Israel will play UEFA Nations League match with almost double the security usually allocated for an international fixture Five people were hospitalized in Paris following violence involving fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv during a trip to play Ajax in the Netherlands last week.

Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez said about 4,000 police officers would oversee security around the Stade de France in the city’s northern suburbs, and 2,500 officers and about 1,600 stadium staff would be on site.

An anti-terrorism police unit will be deployed for the security of the visiting Israeli team.

This is an “extremely risky match.” tense geopolitical context”, Mr. Nuñez said.

“We will not allow any attempt to disrupt public order,” he said.

Prominent political figures such as the President of France are expected to attend the match, which is planned to start at 20.45. Emmanuel Macron, prime minister Michel Barnier and former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.

However, after Israel’s appeal to its citizens, only 20,000 fans are expected to be in the 80,000-seat stadium. avoid attending sports and cultural events events abroad following the violence in Amsterdam.

Five people were treated in hospital and dozens were arrested following the violence against Maccabi fans, who were condemned by Israeli and European politicians for being anti-Semitic.

Police said the violence began when Israeli fans toppled a Palestinian flag, committed vandalism and attacked taxi drivers.

Israeli fans were also caught on video chanting anti-Arab slogans as they walked to the Ajax stadium under police escort.

Mr. Nuñez said French organizers were in contact with Israeli officials and security forces to prepare for Thursday’s match.

Protests broke out on the eve of the match in Paris. gala was held We support Israel. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich was also invited as one of the guests to the gala, which aimed to raise money for the Israeli army.

Hundreds of protesters marched in central Paris, denouncing it as a “gala of hatred and shame”.

“Imagine if an association organized a gala for Hezbollah or Hamas. There is no way the police would allow it,” said 30-year-old protester Melkir Saib. “The situation isn’t fair.”

Protesters marched against the expected attendance of Mr. Smotrich, an ardent advocate of Israeli settlement building in occupied Palestinian territory, who eventually had to cancel a trip to Paris.