Israel’s national anthem was loudly chanted before the kick-off of its team’s football match at the Paris Olympics against Mali on Thursday AEST.
The match began with a massive security presence outside the stadium, amid an increasingly tense international climate that has put Paris’ security efforts in the spotlight.
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The Israeli team arrived under heavy police escort, with motorcyclists in the lead and a dozen riot vans in the rear. Armed police patrolled the Parc des Princes stadium, one of them carrying a rifle on his shoulder. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and Paris Police Prefect Laurent Nunez arrived at the stadium around 7:30 p.m. local time.
“We owe this security to the whole world,” Mr. Darmanin said. “The threats that weigh on our country are the threats that weigh on the Western world.”
The atmosphere outside the stadium was calm, however, with fans from both countries mingling, waving flags and posing for photos.
Malian fans sang along proudly when their anthem was played first. When the Israeli anthem was played, boos and whistles immediately rang out. The stadium’s loudspeaker system playing the anthem then became noticeably louder, in what appeared to be an effort to drown out the boos.
Fans display Palestinian flags and wear T-shirts with the letters “Free Palestine” during Israel’s match against Mali at the Olympics. (Getty Images: Luc Auffret)
Once the match began, the Israeli players were booed every time they touched the ball. Security officers intervened in what appeared to be a violent argument between some fans. The disturbance occurred near a woman holding a Palestinian flag. Two other people holding Palestinian flags then stood next to the woman.
The match ended 1-1, with Israel taking the lead through an own goal from defender Hamidou Diallo in the 57th minute. Mali equalised a few minutes later through a powerful header from Cheickna Doumbia, sparking wild celebrations from a large contingent of Malian fans.
France is under pressure to secure the Paris Olympics, which run from July 26 to August 11. The city has been the scene of deadly extremist attacks on several occasions and tensions are high due to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Security has been stepped up to an extreme level for Saturday morning’s grand opening ceremony on the Seine. Police squadrons are patrolling the streets of Paris, fighter jets and soldiers are on standby, and metal security barriers have been erected on both sides of the Seine.
Darmanin had previously said that Israeli athletes would be protected around the clock by the elite GIGN police unit, which is responsible for, among other things, combating terrorism and protecting government officials.
“The police forces will not have any vacations this summer in order to guarantee the security of all, and in particular of delegations deemed sensitive such as the Israeli delegation for which we have reinforced security thanks to our elite units,” the spokesperson for the national police, Sonia Fibleuil, had indicated earlier on Wednesday.
“All matches deemed sensitive will benefit from increased security with special forces and elite units, but also a broader security system with special resources.”
A heavy armed police presence was present around the Parc des Princes stadium where the match between Israel and Mali was taking place. (Getty Images: Andy Cheung)
Paris is deploying 35,000 police officers per day for the Olympics, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony. In addition, 10,000 soldiers are participating in security operations in the Paris region.
France also benefits from the aid of more than 40 countries which have together sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.
Mali has severed diplomatic relations with Israel and opposes the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza. In recent years, Israel has resumed diplomatic relations with several Muslim countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Mali’s neighbors Guinea, Chad and Sudan.
Other matches involving Israel have led to security concerns.
In May, the start of Scotland’s Women’s European Championship qualifier against Israel in Glasgow was delayed after a protester chained himself to a goal post.
The match was played without spectators after a decision was taken to refund ticket holders following reports of planned disruptions in protest against Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Last month, the city of Brussels announced it would not host a UEFA Nations League match between Belgium and Israel in September due to the “dramatic situation in Gaza” which is creating a security headache for city officials.
AP
