Macron to attend France-Israel football match amid Amsterdam clashes

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to attend the upcoming football match between the national teams of France and Israel, set to take place on November 14 at the Stade de France in Paris.

The president’s entourage highlighted that Macron’s presence is intended to send a "message of fraternity and solidarity" following recent unacceptable acts of antisemitism after a match in Amsterdam earlier this week, Caliber.Az reports via French media.

The announcement of his presence comes after violence in Amsterdam following a game between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax. Israeli, Dutch and European leaders condemned the "anti-Semitic" clashes in Amsterdam which left about two dozen people injured. 

Israeli authorities have urged Israeli fans to skip the football game in Paris scheduled for November 14.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez has labelled the upcoming Nations League match as a high-risk event, announcing the deployment of 4,000 gendarmes to ensure safety in and around the stadium, on public transport, and throughout the French capital.

Ahead of the match, right-wing Jewish group Betar stated it would be staging a rally in Paris to protest against anti-Semitism. Yigal Brand, CEO of World Betar, expressed outrage over recent incidents in Amsterdam and urged the group's members and supporters to join demonstrations in Paris on November 13 and at the game on November 14, which is also reportedly facing threats.

“We are proud Zionists and have nothing to apologise for,” Brand emphasised in a statement. Preparations for significant police presence are underway for the match, set to be held at the Stade de France.

The statement further revealed that Betar, in collaboration with the French Jewish student movement MEJF, would be hosting Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Paris on November 13. This gathering is planned to coincide with the "Israel Is Forever" gala, an event organised by far-right figures to show support for Israel. The gala has faced criticism from various associations, trade unions, and leftist political groups in France, particularly due to Smotrich’s involvement.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities had previously advised caution for fans attending a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball match in Bologna, Italy on November 8. The event concluded without any incidents. Following recent unrest in Amsterdam, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the Mossad intelligence agency to develop a strategy to prevent disruptions at international events.

By Aghakazim Guliyev