During a hectic Olympics opening night, Israeli supporters were attacked in this dramatic incident, which occurred in the midst of an urgent terror alert.
Pro-Palestine demonstrations took place during Israel’s debut appearance at the Paris Games, while the main security operation was mostly untested.
The football competition has already begun, but the Paris 2024 Olympic Games formally start on Friday.
At the much-anticipated tinderbox encounter against Mali on Wednesday, which finished in a 1-1 tie, jeers broke out around the Parc des Princes during the Israeli national song.
In two distinct areas of the stadium throughout the game, heavy-duty security personnel were observed stepping four times to break up occasionally violent altercations between Israelis and small groups of protesters.
Video doing rounds of Israeli fans getting attacked in Paris
A video on X, the old Twitter, depicts Israelis and pro-Palestine supporters arguing while seated only a few meters apart and yelling insults at one another.
The caption on the video, which @visegrad24 posted, read:
“People are trying to attack Israeli fans at the Paris Olympics.
“Not enough free space has been made in the stands to stop attempts at attacking Israeli fans watching the football match between Israel and Mali.”
BREAKING:
People are trying to attack Israeli fans at the Paris Olympics.
Not enough free space has been made in the stands to stop attempts at attacking Israeli fans watching the football match between Israel and Mali pic.twitter.com/VHHrGu2zfb
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 24, 2024
Another video appears to show a flare being thrown at the Israeli fans after the game. As a blazing object is seen flying over the night sky, crowds can be seen leaving the stadium.
BREAKING:
Video emerges of Islamist mob hunting Jews in front of the stadium after yesterday’s Israel-Mali football game during the Paris Summer Olympics
🇫🇷🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/EcVqV4NO9X
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 25, 2024
Although it did not need to intervene, the BRI Research and Intervention Brigade of France was also visible as it watched over spectators outside the stadium. Eight men and women were allowed to stay inside despite holding up Palestinian flags, however four activists wearing T-shirts that said “Free Palestine” were hauled out of the stadium before to the game.
