Israeli Olympic team to receive permanent police protection during Paris Olympics
Heightened security measures for Israeli Delegation
The Israeli Olympic team, set to participate in the Paris Olympics with the opening ceremony scheduled for this Friday, will be under round-the-clock protection by the French police. This measure is a response to threats from Islamist and left extremist groups, as well as current geopolitical tensions.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed that the delegation from Israel will have “reinforced security” throughout their stay in France. “Israeli athletes are particularly targeted for attacks,” Darmanin said in an interview with France 2. This heightened security follows specific threats of attacks similar to the 1972 Munich Olympics. In that year, 11 members of the Israeli team were killed by Palestinian militants.
Threats and response
The newspaper Israel Hayom reported that athletes such as judoka Peter Paltchik, and swimmer Meiron Cheruti, have received threatening messages ahead of the Games. The Jerusalem Post highlighted that Israeli athletes will be protected by local security forces. Also by Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, in an unprecedented coordinated effort.
The Israeli delegation comprises 88 members that compete in 16 different disciplines. It will also have a memorial ceremony for the athletes killed in Munich. This ceremony has been moved from Paris City Hall to the Israeli embassy, due to security concerns.
Extensive security deployment
In light of the threats and political tensions, French authorities have deployed 45,000 security personnel for the inauguration and duration of the Games. This heightened security comes amidst comments from French leftist figures, such as lawmaker Thomas Portes, who publicly stated that Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Games. These statements have raised concerns about potential protests and acts of violence.
The extensive protection measures for the Israeli Olympic team at Paris 2024 underscore the ongoing concerns about security and the necessity to prevent any attacks. These efforts aim to ensure the safety of the athletes and maintain peace during this international event.
