Tensions and Protests Surround France-Israel Football Match in Paris

During the European Nations League football match in Paris between France and Israel on Thursday, certain spectators expressed disapproval by whistling and booing during the playing of the Israeli national anthem at the game’s commencement. The match took place with limited attendance and under stringent security measures, occurring one week after clashes in Amsterdam involving pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli supporters. Although concerns existed about a recurrence of the Amsterdam unrest, only minor altercations occurred in the stands during the initial half of the game, which concluded in a 0-0 tie. President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, was present at the match and had previously declared that France “would not give in to antisemitism.” To guarantee safety, thousands of police officers were stationed at the Stade de France in the northern Paris suburbs and on public transportation. An elite anti-terrorist police unit was assigned to safeguard the visiting Israeli team. An AFP news agency reporter from France observed stadium stewards intervening to halt confrontations among opposing fans in the stands. Reuters news agency reported that approximately 100 Israeli supporters disregarded their government’s travel advisories and occupied a section of the 80,000-capacity stadium, which was less than one-fifth occupied. The agency stated that these fans waved yellow balloons and chanted “Free the Hostages,” a reference to Israelis being held in Gaza by Hamas militants. Prior to the game, hundreds of demonstrators convened in a plaza adjacent to the stadium, displaying Palestinian, Lebanese, and Algerian flags to protest the conflict in Gaza. A banner displayed the message: “We don’t play with genocide.” Israel has dismissed accusations of genocide, labeling them “baseless and grossly distorted.” The nation initiated a campaign to dismantle Hamas following the group’s unprecedented assault on southern Israel on 7 October last year, an event that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals being taken captive. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory, over 43,700 people have been killed in Gaza since that date. Following the pursuit of Israeli supporters through Amsterdam’s streets, political figures across Europe condemned a “return of antisemitism.” City authorities reported that Maccabi fans themselves engaged in acts of vandalism, including removing a Palestinian flag, assaulting a taxi, and shouting anti-Arab slogans. Subsequently, these fans were targeted by “small groups of rioters… on foot, by scooter or car,” as detailed in a 12-page report issued by the city. The conflict between Israel and its neighboring countries in the Middle East carries the risk of extending into Europe. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are home to substantial Muslim communities of North African descent, coexisting with considerably smaller Jewish populations, most of whom express strong identification with Israel. In a gesture of solidarity with European Jews following the events in Amsterdam, President Emmanuel Macron attended Thursday’s match, joined by Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. Attendees were advised to anticipate identity verification procedures before the game, and local bars and restaurants received instructions to cease operations from the afternoon. The Stade de France had previously experienced significant security failures during the 2022 Uefa Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. However, subsequent major events, including the Rugby World Cup and the Paris Olympics, have been hosted there without incident. The far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, which aligns with Palestinians and Lebanese in their conflicts with Israel, advocated for the cancellation of Thursday’s match or, at minimum, for President Macron to decline attendance. LFI deputy David Guiraud stated, “We do not want our head of state honouring a country that commits genocide.” Conversely, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau declared that canceling or relocating the match was not an option, asserting, “France does not give way to those who sow hatred.” France and Israel are grouped together in the Uefa competition, alongside Italy and Belgium. In their initial encounter, held in Budapest, France secured a 4-1 victory over Israel. Tensions preceding the match were already apparent on the day before, following the authorization of a pro-Israeli “gala” event in Paris. Far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich was initially anticipated to attend this event, though it was later suggested his “presence” would be via video-link. Concurrently, several thousand pro-Palestinian and anti-racist organizations organized demonstrations in the capital. These protests led to clashes, with police deploying tear gas as demonstrators targeted a McDonald’s restaurant on Boulevard Montmartre. In recent weeks, the relationship between President Macron and Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has become significantly strained. This followed Macron’s accusation that the Israeli prime minister was “spreading barbarism” in Gaza and Lebanon. French Jewish communities also expressed displeasure when Macron was quoted suggesting that Netanyahu ought to comply with United Nations demands for a ceasefire, stating that “his country was itself created by a decision of the UN.” This comment was perceived in Israel as an affront to Jews who perished during their nation’s war of independence. France, for its part, expressed anger after two French officials were briefly held by Israeli authorities at a sacred location in East Jerusalem, which is administered by France. Macron’s diplomatic strategy concerning the Middle East, much like in various other policy areas, has been characterized as inconsistent, oscillating between overt declarations of support for Israel and then for its Arab neighbors.