France Prepares Security For Match Against Israel In UEFA Nations League

Israeli supporters will travel to France with tight security in the UEFA Nations League (Instagram/@isr.fa) match.

JAKARTA - France will host Israel in the fifth match of Group 2 of the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League A League at the Stade de France, 15 November 2024.

Paris Police will prepare security, particularly for Israeli supporters, after the incident that occurred in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Paris Police Lepala Laurent Nunez said on Sunday, November 10, 2024 local time, that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff would be deployed for the match.

This is to ensure security in and around stadiums and public transportation.

"There is a context, the tension that makes the match a high risk event for us," Nunez told BFM TV.

Nunez further said that 2,500 police officers would be deployed around the Stade de France stadium, north of the French capital, in addition to another 1,500 in Paris and in public transportation.

"There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium. Security checks will be strengthened, including a systematic search and a bag search," Nunez said again.

In addition, according to Nunez, French match organizers have contacted the Israeli authorities and security forces to prepare additional security in the match.

As is known, last week there were clashes between Israeli club supporters, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Amsterdam as they travel to Ajax headquarters in the Europa League party.

Days before the match against Ajax, supporters Maccabi Tel Aviv rioted by destroying Palestinian sympathizers' homes in Amsterdam.

They also lowered the Palestinian flags in the settlement.

The action triggered pro-Palestinian demostrans to counterattack after the Ajax vs Maccabi Tel Aviv match.

However, the Dutch government considers the Israeli club's supporters as victims to protect the perpetrators of the riots from being caught in the law.

In fact, the Israeli government sent a plane for a mission to rescue Tel Aviv's Maccabi supporters to Amsterdam ordered directly by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In the away match to France later, Benjamin will also intervene similarly. He issued a warning of the potential danger of his citizens.

A statement issued by Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had intelligence information that pro-Palestinian groups abroad intend to harm Israelis in cities in the Netherlands, Britain, France, Belgium, and others.

Despite the security of Israeli supporters, France as the host also needs to carry out the agenda according to plan because the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, is likely to attend.

"I think for symbolic reasons we must not give up, we must not give up," said French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.

Macron's expected presence not only shows support for Les Bleus, but also aims to send a message of brotherhood and solidarity.