Paris ramps up security as France-Israel football match sparks political tension

In anticipation of the France-Israel football match at the Stade de France on Thursday, Paris is deploying thousands of additional police officers due to heightened security concerns, reported Al-Jazeera.

The deployment follows violent clashes in Amsterdam ahead of a recent match between Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, prompting increased measures to prevent similar disruptions.

Pro-Palestinian groups have called for a boycott of the match, arguing that it is inappropriate to host Israeli teams amid ongoing violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. They draw comparisons to the international sports sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Despite these protests, ticket sales for the match remain low, with only 20,000 out of 80,000 seats sold, raising questions about the necessity of the extensive security operation.

Security at the Stade de France and surrounding transport networks will be reinforced, with 4,000 police officers deployed, compared to the usual 1,200-1,300 for a sold-out match. Protests are planned outside the stadium, particularly in Saint-Denis, where demonstrators will voice opposition to the event.

French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside other political figures, is expected to attend the match as a symbol of solidarity in response to the anti-Semitic incidents that occurred in Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, critics, including political figures and activists, argue that the match is a distraction from the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with some calling for its cancellation on both political and security grounds.

As the political tension surrounding the match continues to grow, sports and politics remain at odds, with many questioning the place of such a high-profile event amid the humanitarian crisis.