Anti-Israel protesters occupy French soccer federation building in Paris
National team set to play France next week in Paris, sparking protests calling for cancellation; local media says demonstrators calmly evacuated by police
Anti-Israel protesters staged a sit-in Monday at the French soccer federation to call for the cancellation of a Nations League game between France and Israel later this month.
Video footage posted on social media and circulating in French media showed protesters inside the federation’s headquarters in Paris lying on the floor or holding placards with political slogans and Palestinian flags.
Some protesters also chanted: “No, no, no to the France-Israel game at the Stade de France.”
The French soccer federation did not immediately respond to a request for comments from The Associated Press.
According to local media, the demonstrators were calmly evacuated by police.
French authorities confirmed last month that the match would go ahead with fans allowed in the stadium after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident despite security concerns.
"Soldats colons, foutez le camp"
Plusieurs chants entonnés par des militants pro-palestiniens qui sont venus à la @FFF pour demander l'annulation de la prochaine rencontre de foot France-Israël. En cours à #Paris https://t.co/MCaGSkFXCQ pic.twitter.com/0aaXViyA8b
— Off Investigation (@Offinvestigatio) November 4, 2024
The November 14 match at the Stade de France will be played against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which was sparked on October 7 of last year, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill nearly 1,200 people and take 251 hostages.
Since the war began last year, Israel has played all home games and some away games in Budapest’s Boszik Arena after UEFA said playing in Israel was too dangerous.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has long promoted Hungary as the safest country in Europe for Jews. Orbán has banned Palestinian solidarity protests, arguing they present a threat to public safety.
Israel’s match against Italy last month was the first match the country has played outside Hungary this year, including a game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.
