Audience booed Israel’s National Anthem at 2024 Paris Olympics

Football fans at the Paris Olympic Games protested against Israel by waving Palestinian flags during a match between Israel and Mali. The match ended 1-1, with some fans booing the Israeli national anthem before kick-off. Despite this, the match was held without major security incidents.

Calls to Exclude Israel from Olympics and FIFA

The International Olympic Committee was urged earlier this week by the Palestinian Olympic Committee to keep Israel out of the formal opening and running of the Paris Games, which will go through August 11. FIFA, the global governing body of football, has also been urged to ban Israel from international tournaments.

Israel has faced international condemnation for its brutal offensive on Gaza since October 7, last year, when Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people. The resistance groups took 250 Israelis back to Gaza as hostages, with around 120 still in captivity. Israel believes a third of the hostages are dead. Since then, the Israeli offensive has killed 40,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, and wounded over 90,000. An estimated 10,000 Palestinians are missing, presumed dead, under the rubble of their homes and civilian infrastructure.

At least 90% of the population in Gaza has been displaced. Israel faces charges of genocide brought by South Africa in a submission to the International Court of Justice, which the apartheid state denies.

Threat to Israeli athletes

It is also being reported that the Israeli athletes have received death threats from terrorists and Israel has intelligence that Iranian terrorists may target athletes from Israel.Authorities of both countries are working together to protect the athletes from any mishap and are providing them security.

France also has a history of extremist attacks so they are heavily emphasizing on security.

France’s Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin said “We owe this security to the whole world, The threats to our country are the threats that concern the Western world.”

Additionally, Paris has promised to send out 35,000 police officers every day for the duration of the Olympics, up to 45,000 for the opening ceremony. In addition, 10,000 military and at least 1,900 police officers from over 40 countries will be assisting with security activities.

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