Israel Warns Fans To Avoid France Match Amid Tensions Following Anti-Semitic Violence In Amsterdam

Israel has urged fans to avoid attending Thursday's France-Israel football match, which authorities fear could become a flashpoint after violence erupted in Amsterdam following a game involving an Israeli team.

Despite a strong police presence and the attendance of French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli officials warned fans on Sunday to stay away due to concerns they may be targeted.

A right-wing Jewish group has, however, announced a rally before the Nations League match.

The Paris fixture follows a week after clashes broke out after a game between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax.

The violence was condemned as "anti-Semitic" by leaders in Israel, the US, the Netherlands, and across Europe. Around two dozen people were injured, and police reported making more than 60 arrests.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez described the France-Israel match as high risk, stating that 4,000 gendarmes would be deployed around the Stade de France, on public transport, and throughout the French capital.

Such extensive deployment was "highly unusual" for an international match, Nunez told *BFMTV*, noting that the national police force's elite unit would be tasked with protecting Israel's football players.

"We will not tolerate any overspill or disturbances to public order," he added.

World Leaders Condemn 'Anti-Semitic' Violence

In Jerusalem, the National Security Council on Sunday urged Israeli fans to "avoid attending sports games/cultural events involving Israelis, with an emphasis on the upcoming match of the Israeli national team in Paris."

It cautioned that groups aiming to target Israel had been identified in multiple European cities, including Paris, advising nationals to avoid displaying recognisable Israeli or Jewish symbols.

The match takes place amid a wave of rising anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hostility since the start of Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

On Sunday, Macron's office confirmed that the French president would attend the upcoming game to "send a message of fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable acts of anti-Semitism that followed the match in Amsterdam this week."

The incidents in Amsterdam drew international condemnation, with US President Joe Biden and European leaders denouncing the "anti-Semitic" attacks on Jews.

The Palestinian foreign ministry reported instances of "anti-Arab chanting."

Following tensions leading up to the Europa League match, groups of men on scooters carried out "hit-and-run" attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.

The incidents occurred after sporadic reports of Maccabi fans allegedly chanting anti-Palestinian slogans and songs, which appeared to provoke responses from opposing youth groups.

Amsterdam police reported that some Maccabi fans burned a Palestinian flag in Dam Square and vandalised a taxi.

Police said attackers were mobilised by calls on social media to target Jewish people.

Authorities have so far arrested 63 people in connection with the violence, and additional arrests are expected.

**Jewish Movement Plans Protest Against Anti-Semitism**

The right-wing Jewish movement Betar announced on Sunday that it would organise a protest against anti-Semitism before the match.

World Betar, a pro-Israel youth movement, also planned to host Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on the sidelines of a gala event on Wednesday in support of Israel, organised by far-right figures.

Several associations, unions, and French left-wing parties criticised the "Israel is Forever" event and specifically opposed Smotrich's scheduled appearance.

However, police chief Nunez, who authorised the event, said Smotrich might not attend after all. "I understand that in the end, he won't be there," he commented.

Betar, active globally, maintains ties with the Israeli right.

The group's CEO Yigal Brand said in a statement on Sunday that the movement was "outraged at what has happened in Amsterdam."

"We are proud Zionists and have nothing to apologise for," he added.

Israeli authorities had also advised fans against attending a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game in Bologna, Italy, on Friday, which proceeded without incident.

Following the violence in Amsterdam, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had ordered the Mossad intelligence agency to draft a plan to prevent unrest at events abroad.