Thousands of police officers are set to be deployed around Paris ahead of a soccer game between France and Israel to prevent violence similar to last week’s incidents in Amsterdam involving locals and Israeli fans. The match is expected to be met with widespread protests following Israel’s recent assaults on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Paris police will deploy around 4,000 officers, with additional security measures in place at the Stade de France and other locations in the city. Only French and Israeli flags will be allowed inside the stadium, with drones being used to monitor crowds.
Despite the increased security, attendance at the game is expected to be low. Demonstrations against the match are planned near the stadium, with protesters condemning the normalization of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Protests against a pro-Israel gala attended by far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich were also held in Paris, with police clashing with protesters during some of the rallies. Protesters expressed their determination to continue demonstrating against Israel’s actions in Gaza, highlighting the high number of civilian casualties. The tense atmosphere surrounding the game reflects the ongoing controversy and divisions surrounding Israel’s policies in the region.
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