Israeli authorities have recommended that their citizens avoid going to sporting events during the coming week and have particularly warned supporters wishing to go to France-Israel on Thursday November 14 at the Stade de France.
Israeli authorities on Sunday called on supporters to avoid going to the France-Israel match next Thursday in Paris, following the violence which occurred in Amsterdam on the sidelines of another sporting meeting.
“The National Security Council recommends that Israelis abroad take precautions (…) particularly during the coming week, to completely avoid going to sporting events and cultural events attended by Israelis , especially at the next match of the Israel team in Paris,” this organization which reports to the Prime Minister’s office said in a press release.
National Security Council cites Paris as dangerous city
Considered “high risk” by the French authorities, the France-Israel match on Thursday at the Stade de France will take place one week to the day after that between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, which was followed by violence involving Israeli fans in the Dutch city.
This violence, which sparked reactions of indignation around the world, led to five temporary hospitalizations and around sixty arrests, according to the Dutch police. “Groups that want to attack Israelis have been identified in a number of European cities,” the National Security Council said on Sunday, citing Brussels, major British cities, Amsterdam and Paris “on the occasion of the expected match of the Israeli national team”.
An uneventful basketball match in Italy
The organization also recommended that Israelis abroad “not display recognizable Israeli or Jewish signs, including when ordering a taxi through an app.” A total of 4,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized on Thursday for this Nations League match at the Stade de France, the Paris police chief announced on Sunday.
On Friday, the National Security Council had already called on Israeli fans to avoid a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball match against Bologna in Italy, which ultimately took place without incident.
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