Macron to attend France-Israel soccer match in show of solidarity, Paris says

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron says his decision to attend Thursday’s soccer match between France and Israel in Paris is meant as a show of support, following attacks on Israelis and Jews in Amsterdam after a game there last week.

Macron’s gesture is aimed at sending “a message of fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable acts of antisemitism that followed the match in Amsterdam,” his office says.

Israel has warned its citizens not to attend the game at the Stade de France later this week, citing threats from pro-Palestinian protesters and “terror supporters.”

Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez earlier told French news broadcaster BFM TV that French organizers have been in contact with Israeli authorities and security forces in order to prepare for the match.

Some 4,000 police are being deployed for the game, including 2,500 who will be deployed around the stadium. Others will police public transportation and other areas.

“There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium,” Nuñez said. Security checks will be “reinforced,” he added, including with systematic pat-downs and bag searches.