Alarm before Israel match

4000 police officers to prevent Amsterdam 2.0

1600 security forces will be deployed at the Stade de France in Paris alone on Thursday.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/AFP/FRANCK FIFE (2))

The Nations League clash between France and Israel on Thursday evening in Paris is anything but a normal soccer match. A week after the attacks on Israeli fans in Amsterdam, French security circles are talking about the most sensitive match of the year. 4000 police officers are to ensure that everything runs smoothly. 

The hunting scenes involving Israeli fans before the soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv the previous week went around the world.

As reported, it was mainly young people with Palestinian flags who targeted Israelis, attacking and in some cases seriously injuring them.

Amsterdam police issue ultimatum to suspects
The police in Amsterdam have been able to locate some of the suspects on video surveillance cameras and have given them an ultimatum to hand themselves in voluntarily by Friday.

If these Amsterdam thugs do not turn themselves in, the police will publish their faces.

(Bild: Politie Amsterdam)

For the Nations League clash between France and Israel on Thursday in Paris (kick-off: 8.45 pm), the red alert is in force. 4,000 police officers and 1,600 security personnel will be deployed at the Stade de France to ensure that the sporting showdown runs smoothly.

Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez said on BFMTV: "We will have the means to prevent any disruption to public order - be it at the match, around it or on the spectators' routes."

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AFP)

Interior Minister: "France will not back down"
Last Friday, just a few hours after the attacks in Amsterdam, France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau had already categorically ruled out postponing the international match. "I do not accept this", the conservative wrote on X. "France will not back down, as this would mean capitulating to threats of violence and anti-Semitism."

300 Israeli fans are expected in the stadium
At the same time, Israel's National Security Council called for caution at events, according to the Haaretz newspaper. Israelis should avoid sporting and cultural events outside Israel in which Israeli teams or artists are participating. 300 Israeli fans are nevertheless expected in the stadium.

A group of around 300 Jews and Israel sympathizers want to attend the game despite the travel warning

(Bild: AP/The Associated Press)

Pro-Israeli activist Mélanie Pauli-Geysse told the newspaper "Israel Hajom" that they would not be intimidated by extremists and would show "that we are not afraid".

We will not be intimidated by extremists and will show that we are not afraid.

Die pro-israelische Aktivistin Mélanie Pauli-Geysse

Macron wants to set an example with his visit
French President Emmanuel Macron wants to send a message of brotherhood and solidarity by visiting the site following the anti-Semitic attacks, French media quoted his entourage as saying. Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former President Nicolas Sarkozy are also likely to be among the spectators.