Israel's national anthem booed, scuffles break out during soccer match in France: report
An Israel-France UEFA Nations League game brought boos for the Israeli national anthem, and fights broke out in the stands at Stade de France.
Some fans at Stade de France booed during the Israeli national anthem, and minor altercations erupted at a UEFA Nations League game between the two countries Thursday.
Increased security and police presence was set up before the match due to attacks on Israeli supporters in Amsterdam when Maccabi Tel Aviv faced Ajax last week.
About 4,000 French security personnel patrolled inside and outside the stadium and on public transit.
The Israeli government also warned its citizens about attending sporting and cultural events due to the attacks in Amsterdam, knowing the soccer match was upcoming.
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Reuters reported around 100 Israeli fans were spotted sitting in a corner of Stade de France, which had an attendance of 16,611, not even close to its 80,000-person capacity.
Before the match kicked off, the Israeli national anthem played, and some "boos and whistles" were heard as it played.
Israeli supporters waved yellow balloons, chanting "Free the Hostages" in reference to those still being held by Hamas.
During the match, a fight broke out near where the Israeli fans were sitting, with some throwing punches, according to Reuters.
There was already friction leading into this match, with anti-Israeli protesters waving Palestinian flags among others in the Saint-Denis district of Paris with Team Israel coming to town.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon gave an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital Nov. 7 after attacks in Amsterdam.
"We are seeing a pogrom against Jews and Israelis unfold in Amsterdam," Danon said. "In 2024. This must stop. ‘Globalize the intifada’ was not just a slogan for these terrorist supporters. I urge the Dutch government to help all Israelis and Jewish people immediately. It’s time to respond with force against these barbaric rioters."
In the United States, the Israeli Embassy to the U.S. posted a graphic video of the violence, saying, "The mob who targeted those innocent Israelis has proudly shared their [violent] acts."
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., condemned the violence in a post on X.
"The hysterical and hyperbolic demonization of Israel has led to a global outbreak of antisemitic vitriol, vandalism, and violence," he wrote. "The single most monstrous manifestation of antisemitism is a pogrom that is presently unfolding against hundreds of Jews who were cheering on the Tel Aviv Football Club in Amsterdam.
"Those inciting antisemitism now have the blood of a 21st-century pogrom on their hands," he wrote. "The situation is so dire that the Israeli government is dispatching rescue teams for Jews in danger. I am sick to my stomach that a pogrom is happening in the 21st century."
This incident comes 13 months after Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel, killing and kidnapping hundreds.
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