PARIS: Israel has urged fans to avoid Thursday’s France-Israel football tie, which authorities fear could become a flashpoint following violence in Amsterdam surrounding a match involving an Israeli team.
Despite a large police presence and the expected attendance of French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli officials on Sunday warned fans to stay away because of fears they could be targeted.
A right-wing Jewish group has nevertheless announced a rally ahead of the Nations League tie.
The Paris fixture will take place a week after clashes in Amsterdam around a match between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax.
About two dozen people were injured, while police said they had made more than 60 arrests.
Describing the France-Israel fixture as high risk, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said 4,000 gendarmes would be deployed around the Stade de France, on public transport and across the French capital.
Such a massive deployment was “highly unusual” for an international match, Nunez told French broadcaster BFMTV, adding that the national police force’s elite unit would be tasked with protecting Israel’s footballers.
“We will not tolerate any overspill or disturbances to public order,” he said.
In Jerusalem, the National Security Council on Sunday urged Israeli fans to “avoid attending sports games/cultural events involving Israelis, with an emphasis on the upcoming match of the Israeli national team in Paris”.
Following rising tensions in the run-up to the Europa League game, groups of men on scooters launched “hit-and-run” attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
This came after sporadic incidents linked to both Maccabi supporters — accused of chanting and singing anti-Palestinian slogans and songs — and opposing groups of youths.
Amsterdam police said some Maccabi supporters had burned a Palestinian flag on the Dam central square, and vandalised a taxi.
Authorities have since mobilised additional police and extended a ban on wearing masks.
At least 63 people have been arrested in connection with last week’s violence and more detentions are expected. _AFP
