The security measures in Paris for the match of the national teams of France – Israel, in the shadow of the wild incidents in Amsterdam with victims of Israeli fans, are draconian.

French authorities have announced that at least 4,000 police and 1,600 security personnel will be deployed in Paris for the soccer match to ensure security inside and outside the stadium, the Stade de France, and on public transport. The national football teams of the two countries will compete on Thursday as part of the UEFA Nations League.

French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the France-Israel soccer match on Thursday following the violent incidents that took place this week in Amsterdam on the sidelines of a match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, the presidential palace said on Sunday.

According to Macron’s entourage, the French president wants in this way “to send a message of brotherhood and solidarity after the unacceptable anti-Semitic actions that followed the match in Amsterdam this week.”

The French government has insisted it will not change its plans to host this Nations’ League match and will rely on massive security measures to ensure the safety of visiting fans.

Five Maccabi Tel-Aviv fans were taken to the hospital due to the violent incidents that took place on the night of Thursday to Friday in Amsterdam. The police reported about sixty arrests and Israel organized emergency flights to repatriate its citizens. According to police, the groups that attacked the fans were responding to a call on social media to target Jews.

Macron “unequivocally condemned” on Friday “the violence against Israeli citizens in Amsterdam”, which, according to him, recalls “the most undignified moments in history”.
For their part, the Israeli authorities today called on fans to avoid going to the France-Israel match.

“The National Security Council recommends that Israelis abroad act with caution (…) especially in the coming week, to completely avoid going to sports meetings and cultural events in which Israelis participate, especially the next match of the Israeli team in Paris “, the specific body, which is under the jurisdiction of the prime minister, said in a statement.