As the Paris Olympics approach, an elite French anti-terrorist unit will establish a formidable 'ring of steel' around Israel's first event amidst rising tensions and calls for pro-Palestine demonstrations. The Israeli men’s football team is set to play against Mali on Wednesday evening, marking the first major test for an unprecedented security operation at the Games, just two days before the official opening ceremony.

 

 

The BRI Search and Intervention Brigade, an elite unit of French anti-terrorism experts, will patrol fans at the Parc des Princes stadium. The security source in Paris confirmed the comprehensive measures, stating, “Soldiers, police, and gendarmes will be at the Parc des Princes stadium, and the BRI will be among them.” Advanced security technologies, including drones, will be deployed to monitor the area, and intelligence agency officials will be present to ensure safety.

 

The police presence in Paris is set to be three times larger than at the London 2012 Olympics, with officers from 43 countries joining the effort. Additionally, the RAF will play a significant role in providing anti-drone technology, having been selected by French authorities for this crucial task.

 

The tension surrounding the Israeli athletes has been exacerbated by threats received in the build-up to the Games, prompting armed Israeli agents to be sent to Paris. The historic context adds to the unease, as Mali severed diplomatic ties with Israel following the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

 

Political figures have also weighed in, with Thomas Portes of the France Unbowed party stating, “No, the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris.” He likened the situation to the ban on Russian teams due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, asserting that Israeli athletes should face similar restrictions.

 

Portes' call for protests has gained support from colleagues, including MP Aymeric Caron, who declared, “The Israeli flag, stained with the blood of the innocent people of Gaza, should not fly in Paris this summer.” Such statements have been met with condemnation from leaders within the Jewish community in France. Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), criticized these remarks as “irresponsible and dangerous,” arguing that they increase the risk to Israeli athletes.

 

Arfi invoked the memory of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were murdered by Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group.

 

The BRI's involvement underscores the heightened security concerns. Originally formed to combat violent gangs, the BRI shifted its focus to terrorist groups following the 2015 ISIS attacks in Paris, which claimed 130 lives and injured hundreds. The attacks began at the Stade de France, a key venue for the upcoming Olympics, highlighting the ongoing relevance of stringent security measures.

 

Previous instances of security threats at sporting events have prompted similar precautions. In May, a women’s football match between Scotland and Israel in Glasgow was held without supporters due to security concerns, despite 400 pro-Palestine demonstrators rallying outside the stadium.

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-07-24

 

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France Unbowed party

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