‘We Don’t Need to Hide’: French Jews Plan to Attend Soccer Match Despite Israeli Security Warning

In the wake of the attacks in Amsterdam, Israel’s National Security Council warned that anti-Israel groups have called to harm Israelis and Jews elsewhere in Europe.

By JNS

Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) issued an alert for Israeli travelers on Sunday in the wake of the Nov. 7 attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam, warning that anti-Israel groups have called to harm Israelis and Jews elsewhere in Europe.

Pro-Palestinian groups are planning to harm Jews by exploiting gatherings at sports and cultural events, the NSC said. Networks have been identified in a number of European cities, including Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris, where the Israeli national team will play on Nov. 14.

The NSC issued the following guidance:

1. In the coming week, avoid attending sporting and cultural events altogether, with a special emphasis on the upcoming Israeli national team game in Paris.

2. Stay away from demonstrations and protests of any kind.

3. Immediately notify local security forces of any incidents of threat/ assault.

4. Be extra careful to keep Israeli identification symbols private, including when booking taxis, or hiring vehicles using apps.

5. Check before traveling to areas prone to violence and disturbances, high crime or that have large immigrant populations from countries hostile to Israel.

Despite the NSC warning, thousands of French Jews are planning to attend the Paris match, Knesset member Yosef Taieb from the Shas party told the Knesset’s Education, Culture, and Sports Committee on Monday.

“As someone who was born and raised in France and whose family is still there,” Taieb was quoted by Channel 12 as saying during the discussion, “the entire Jewish community in France is currently rallying by the thousands to buy tickets and come to the Stade de France with Israeli and French flags together on Thursday. We don’t need to hide from anyone, and we should support our team.”