Paris Olympics 2024: heavy security for Israel vs. Mali football match
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Approximately 1,000 French police officers have been deployed to ensure security during the Israel vs. Mali football match at the Paris Olympics, scheduled for Wednesday.
The match, taking place at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, has been categorized as high risk by French security forces, alongside the Ukraine-Iraq match in Lyon.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed the substantial police presence, emphasizing the establishment of a security and anti-terror perimeter. He noted that while all Olympic events have security measures, additional precautions are being taken for these particular matches.
In addition to the matchday security, all Israeli athletes participating in the Paris Games will receive 24-hour personal security from elite French police, covering both their time in the Olympic village and during any external activities.
French authorities anticipate potential disturbances, including protests and possible insults or displays of flags during the match. Europalestine, a French activist group, has announced plans for a peaceful demonstration inside the stadium to protest the ongoing situation in Gaza.
The match is set to begin at 9:00 PM local time (1900 GMT).
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and French President Emmanuel Macron have dismissed calls from the Palestine Olympic Committee to ban Israel from the Games, citing recent hostilities as grounds for exclusion.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting over 39,000 deaths in more than nine months of conflict.