Nations League in Paris: Anti-terror unit protects Israel’s national team and fans

Before the Nations League game between France and Israel (8:45 p.m., DAZN and in the WELT live ticker), the highest alert level is in place in Paris. 4,000 police officers are on duty around the game. “All safety conditions are guaranteed – in traffic, when accessing the stadium, during the game,” said Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez on the France Info channel. He stressed: “For those who want to cause trouble, the response of the security forces under my authority will be extremely decisive.”

Nuñez said there was no specific threat against the game at the Stade de France itself. “But in the international context we know, it remains a high-risk game.” You have to stay focused. A few hours before kick-off, the anti-terror unit RAID took up position in front of the arena. The elite police officers, who are supposed to support riot police, drove up in armored vehicles.

“What we take away from Amsterdam is that we need to be present in public spaces, even very far from the stadium,” said Nuñez. The Paris police chief assured that the law enforcement officers were also keeping an eye on social media. “We will recognize any gathering of people with belligerent intentions.”

Pro-Palestinian demonstration near the stadium

There are concerns about security following the targeted attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam last Thursday. Israel’s National Security Council generally called on citizens to exercise caution at events abroad. They should avoid sporting and cultural events outside Israel that involve Israeli teams or artists, Haaretz newspaper reported, citing the Security Council.

In Saint-Denis, where the Stade de France is also located, a pro-Palestinian demonstration has been announced for the evening. Three hours before kick-off, around 350 participants came to the rally, many of them masked. Although there is a ban on Palestine flags, many of these flags can be seen at the demonstration