Fans at the Paris 2024 Olympics loudly jeered Israel’s national anthem as it was played ahead of their men’s football clash against Mali on Wednesday night.
Israel’s presence at the Olympics has been a hot topic given the ongoing war in Gaza, with one French MP saying that Israeli athletes were ‘not welcome in Paris’.
As a result, their delegation is being given round-the-clock security throughout the games with the football team arriving at the Parc des Princes stadium under a heavy police escort.
Around 1,000 police offers were deployed at the stadium, home of Paris Saint-Germain, with France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin saying: ‘We owe this security to the whole world. The threats to our country are the threats that concern the western world.’
Thankfully, there weren’t many unsavoury scenes – like the ones during Argentina’s chaotic loss to Morocco earlier on Wednesday evening – but ahead of kick-off fans made their voices well heard.
After Mali’s anthem was played without issue, the Israel anthem could barely be heard over a cacophony of boos and whistles, with the volume on the stadium speaker system notably getting louder in an effort to drown out the jeers.
Several fans waved Palestinian flags while a group of supporters wore t-shirts that spelled out ‘FREE PALENSTINE’.
As the match got underway, Israel’s players were booed every time they touched the ball with the game eventually ending 1-1.
Defender Ilay Feingold had a laser from the stands shone in his face, though such discrepancies have become common at big football games in recent years.
There was one small commotion in the stands after an Israel supporter attempted to snatch away a Palestine flag but security quickly dealt with the incident. As Palestine have athletes at the Olympics their flag is permitted in every stadia.
Aside from that, everything remained peaceful though it remains to be seen whether that lasts with the Games officially underway on Friday night.
As for the Israeli football team, their campaign continues on Saturday against Paraguay, before taking on Japan on Tuesday.