Israeli Athletes to Receive 24-Hour Security at Paris Olympics

Latest Developments

Israeli athletes will receive 24-hour security at the Paris Olympics that commence on July 26. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the decision on July 21, one day after far-left French lawmaker Thomas Portes called for banning the Israeli team at an anti-Israel rally in Paris. Israel is sending 88 athletes to the Paris games, more than a dozen of whom received death threats warning of a “repeat” of the 1972 Munich Olympics, when Palestinian militants kidnapped and murdered 11 members of the Israeli team.

French President Emmanuel Macron told French media that “Israeli athletes are welcome in our country” and that it is “France’s responsibility to provide” security for the Israeli team. “I condemn in the strongest possible way all those who create risks for these athletes and implicitly threaten them,” Macron stated.

Expert Analysis

“Half a century after the atrocity at the Munich Olympics, Israeli athletes still can’t compete free from fear. The difference in 2024 is that as well as dealing with terror threats, the Israeli delegation faces vilification that in this case is being stoked by members of the French parliament, staining the games before they’ve even started.” — Ben Cohen, FDD Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Manager

“When protesters call to ‘globalize the intifada,’ this is what they mean. Athletes whose only crime is being Israeli face harassment and discrimination. Competing against the world’s greatest athletes is hard enough, but Israelis must do so while looking over their shoulders because of death threats.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

Israeli Athletes Receive Death Threats

In the months preceding the Paris games, Israeli athletes have received numerous death threats via email and telephone. A group self-identified as “the People’s Defense Organization” sent an email to 15 athletes claiming that “it intends to harm any Israeli presence at the Olympics” and repeat the 1972 Munich Olympics attack. “You will be awaiting attack at every moment — in the airport, the hotel, and the streets which belong to only us,” the message warned. Separately, multiple Israeli athletes received invitations to their own funerals. Israeli officials say they are “taking this seriously” but “are also not getting overexcited.” Nonetheless, Israel is sending the largest-ever delegation of Shin Bet agents for Israeli athletes to Paris.

French President Asks for “Political Truce” During Olympics

The 2024 Olympics are occurring as the war in Gaza extends into its 10th month and the war in Ukraine extends well past two years. President Macron called for the traditional “political truce” during the 2024 Olympics, but some governments are considering increased precautions in light of global events. A U.S. State Department official involved in securing the American team told Reuters that anti-Israel activity is “one of a number of issues” under consideration as “part of the ongoing analysis to determine where do we need to adjust our strategies.” France is also undertaking “unprecedented” measures to secure the event, including deploying between 35,000 and 45,000 police officers on each day of the games.

Related Analysis

“The Palestinian War on Israel’s Olympic Team,” by David May and Noy Barel

“FIFA Is Latest Target of Palestinian Hijacking,” by David May

“Victorious Left-Wing Coalition in France Pushes for ‘Immediate Recognition’ of Palestinian State,” FDD Flash Brief