for Israeli fans, “it’s not even football or sport anymore”

Nearly 4,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized for the Blues’ match against Israel at the Stade de France on Thursday evening. On the side of Israeli supporters, in Jerusalem, sporting expectations have given way to political issues.

France hosts Israel at the Stade de France on Thursday, November 14, for a very high-tension Nations League football match. A security device “extremely reinforced” is planned according to the Paris police prefect, with 4,000 police officers and gendarmes deployed, almost four times more than for a classic Blues match. Seen from Israel, it is no longer a match, but a political event.

In Jerusalem, the supporters are aware of a football match with little at stake, between two nations not really of the same level. “If we only manage to lose 4-1 or 3-1, I’ll be really happy. We don’t have many expectations, but we’ll do our best.”confides an Israeli supporter.

But the essential thing is no longer on the ground since the violence in Amsterdam, Gal believes. “It’s like we’ve already lost the match. It’s not even football or sport anymore. When your national team has to hide in its hotel, when players and fans aren’t allowed to go out And when you fear for security in a country like France which is a good country, which is a friend of Israel.lists the supporter. Not even having this fundamental right anymore is nothing new, but now it’s worse.”

“It’s not sport anymore and it’s sad. If I were in charge of the Israeli national team, I would abandon the tournament, I would say I don’t want to participate anymore.”

“So sure, in that case, you let terrorism win, but what’s the point of playing a game you’ve already lost,” decides this Israeli supporter.

Gal’s disenchantment contrasts with the Israeli media’s enthusiasm for the event. For Ben El, another supporter, it is a timely showcase to show the world what his country really is. “There is a little something extra and that is hope. Because we have a mix of players. Mohammad Abu Fani (midfielder) for example, he’s Arab, and a lot of people don’t know that. They think that in Israel we are all white settlers. I am not a white settler. I’m not white. My parents are from Iraq. Many people do not understand that Israel is a mosaic with Jews, Druze, Christians, Muslims. It’s a mix.”

“The national team is the ambassador of our nation. And seeing all of us wearing the country’s colors means so much more to me than just a football match.”

So like Gal, Ben El will watch the match. “But with the alerts” et “the risk of receiving rockets”he said, “It’s hard to let go.”