The Paris police had on Sunday, announced that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a France-Israel soccer match to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation a week after violence against Israeli fans occurred in Amsterdam.
They may be due in part to the fact that the French President, Emmanuel Macron will be attending the UEFA Nations League match on Thursday where France and Israel will be playing, according to the Elysee presidential palace said.
Israel’s National Security Council, had in a statement on Sunday, warned its citizens overseas to avoid sports and cultural events, particularly the match in Paris, and be watchful of violent attacks “under the pretense of demonstrations.”
Meanwhile, Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez had said that 2,500 police officers would be deployed around the Stade de France stadium, north of the French capital, in addition to the 1,500 others already in Paris and on public transportation.
“There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium. Security checks will be reinforced including systematic pat-downs and bag searches.” Nuñez added.
Israeli fans were assaulted last week after a soccer game in Amsterdam by a crowd of young people apparently incited by the campaign on social media to target Jewish people, according to a report by the Dutch authorities.
In the aftermath of the attack, five people were hospitalised and dozens others were arrested. The assault was condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel and across Europe.
Prior to the game, large crowds of supporters of the Israeli team were reportedly chanting anti-Arab slogans as they headed to the stadium, accompanied by the police.
On Sunday, Dutch police arrested several people for participating in a demonstration staged in central Amsterdam after it had been prohibited following the violence that targeted Israeli fans, a local broadcaster had reported.
