Boos and Whistles Mar France-Israel Football Match
Some football fans attending the European Nations League match in Paris between France and Israel whistled and booed during the Israeli national anthem at the start of the game.
The match, held under tight security at the Stade de France, followed tensions in Amsterdam a week earlier, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with visiting Israeli fans. Despite concerns of similar violence, the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw, saw only minor scuffles in the stands.
President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, emphasized France's commitment to combating antisemitism. Thousands of police officers and an elite anti-terror unit were deployed to secure the event. Around 100 Israeli fans defied government travel warnings, chanting "Free the Hostages" in reference to Israelis held by Hamas in Gaza. Meanwhile, several hundred demonstrators nearby waved Palestinian, Lebanese, and Algerian flags, protesting Israel's actions in Gaza, with banners accusing Israel of genocide—a claim the country strongly denies.
Israel’s military campaign against Hamas followed the group's unprecedented attack on October 7, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the taking of 251 hostages. The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reports over 43,700 deaths in the territory since the conflict began.
European leaders, including Macron, condemned a rise in antisemitism after Israeli fans were targeted in Amsterdam. The incidents involved vandalism by Maccabi fans and retaliation by small groups of rioters, leading to clashes and arrests.
Relations between Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been strained. Macron criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon, while Israel was angered by France’s stance on a UN-proposed ceasefire and the detention of French officials at a Jerusalem holy site. These diplomatic tensions reflect Macron's oscillating Middle East policy, alternating between support for Israel and Arab neighbors.
