Israeli athletes will have 24-hour protection during the Paris Olympics, announced France’s interior minister, following a call from a far-left lawmaker for protests against their participation and a statement that Israel’s delegation was not welcome.
The Games begin on Friday amid significant security concerns due to heightened geopolitical tensions from the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Israel’s war against Hamas, which has heavily impacted Gaza, has become a contentious issue among France’s far left, with some critics accusing pro-Palestinian members of anti-Semitism.
French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin stated in a TV interview on Sunday evening that Israeli athletes would receive continuous protection during the Games, marking 52 years since the Munich Olympics massacre where 11 Israelis were killed by Palestinian militants.
Darmanin’s remarks followed a video of far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party lawmaker Thomas Portes saying Israel’s Olympic athletes were unwelcome in France and calling for protests against their participation in the Games.
“We are days away from an international event in Paris, the Olympic Games. I am here to say the Israeli delegation is not welcome. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Paris Olympics,” he said to applause in a video shared on social media.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, at a meeting with European Union counterparts in Brussels, stated, “On behalf of France, we welcome the Israeli delegation to these Olympic Games.” He also said he would emphasise this point in an upcoming call with his Israeli counterpart, assuring the security of the Israeli delegation.
Paul Benvie, a U.S. State Department official coordinating security for Team USA, told Reuters that anti-Israeli sentiment was one of several issues under consideration as part of their ongoing strategy adjustments.
Portes did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, and the Israeli embassy declined to comment.
Some LFI lawmakers partially defended Portes’ remarks. Senior party official and lawmaker Manuel Bompard wrote on X, supporting Portes “amidst the hatred he faces” and argued that “given Israel’s repeated international law violations, it’s legitimate to request their athletes compete under a neutral banner at the Olympics.”
Israel denies breaking international law in its war in Gaza, triggered by a cross-border Hamas attack in October last year.
Highlighting the complex security situation, a memorial for the Israeli athletes killed in the 1972 Munich attack was moved from outside Paris’ City Hall to the Israeli embassy.
The Games’ opening ceremony will feature athletes parading in barges down the Seine, but Israeli officials have not confirmed if their athletes will participate.
Nancy Mbamalu
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