Emmanuel Macron confirmed his presence in the stands on Thursday for the match between France and Israel. An extraordinary security system will be put in place on this occasion to avoid any overflow.
The match between France and Israel this Thursday promises to be under high tension, a few days after the violent clashes between Israeli and Dutch supporters in Amsterdam after a Europa League match. To avoid any overflow, an unprecedented system will be “extremely reinforced” assures Laurent Nuñez, the police prefect. 4,000 police officers will be deployed.
A double check awaits spectators around the Stade de France, each time with an identity check, a search and a pat-down. The Police Prefecture advises the 20,000 people expected to arrive in advance and with proof of identity. The spectator who refuses this measure will not be able to enter the stadium.
It will also be forbidden to enter with a Palestinian flag, this is the main fear of the police. Only French and Israeli flags will be admitted. Water bottles, water bottles or backpacks will also be prohibited.
To avoid invasion of the pitch, the first rows of the stands will be sealed off. To enforce order, the Paris Police Prefect has prepositioned mobile force units and plainclothes police officers directly in the aisles of the Stade de France. The security of the Israeli team will be provided by the Raid, the elite unit of the national police.
Emmanuel Macron will be in the stands
Only 20,000 seats were sold, out of the 80,000 at the Stade de France. Among the spectators, there will be the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron. The Head of State wishes to send “a message of fraternity and solidarity” after “the intolerable anti-Semitic acts which marred the match in Amsterdam”, writes the Élysée.
“It makes sense. In this climate, in this context, it is also to show that the President of the Republic is there, to also show solidarity in the face of anti-Semitism which has spread in Europe” , explains Elie Korchia, president of the Central Israelite Consistory of France.
For its part, on the other hand, Israel advises its nationals against going to the match. The national security council of the Jewish state claims to have identified organizations that want to attack Israelis, particularly in Paris during this meeting.
Nicolas Pelletier and Clara Gabillet
