Amsterdam violence: Paris will deploy 4,000 police officers for France-Israel soccer match

Paris police deploy thousands of officers for France-Israel soccer match amid security concerns after violence in Amsterdam.

Paris police said on Sunday (November 10, 2024) that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a France-Israel soccer match to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation a week after violence against Israeli fans in Amsterdam.

“France and Israel are playing in a UEFA Nations League match on Thursday (November 14, 2024) that French President Emmanuel Macron will attend,” the Elysee Presidential palace said.

Israel’s National Security Council, in a statement on Sunday (November 10, 2024), warned citizens abroad to avoid sports and cultural events, specifically the match in Paris, and be careful of violent attacks “under the pretense of demonstrations.”

“There's a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for us,” Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez said on French news broadcaster BFM TV, adding authorities “won't tolerate” any violence.

Mr. Nuñez said 2,500 police officers would be deployed around the Stade de France stadium, north of the French capital, in addition to 1,500 others in Paris and on public transportation.

“There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium,” Mr. Nuñez said. Security checks will be “reinforced,” he added, including with systematic pat-downs and bag searches.

Mr. Nuñez said French organisers have been in contact with Israeli authorities and security forces in order to prepare for the match. Israeli fans were assaulted last week after a soccer game in Amsterdam by hordes of young people apparently riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people, according to Dutch authorities.