Israeli Anthem Booed, Scuffles Erupt at France Game Amid Gaza Tensions

PARIS, Nov 14– The Israeli national anthem was met with boos from some French fans, and minor scuffles broke out at the Stade de France during a Nations League game on Thursday, which was overshadowed by ongoing tensions surrounding the Gaza war.

To prevent a repeat of the violence that occurred in Amsterdam last week during a Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv, French authorities deployed 4,000 security personnel at the stadium and around public transport.

Despite warnings from the Israeli government urging its citizens not to travel for sports events due to security concerns, around 100 Israeli fans attended the match, sitting in a section of the 80,000-seat stadium, which was only about one-fifth full. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, and the 16,611 attendance marked the lowest for France at the Stade de France since it opened in 1998.

During the playing of the Israeli anthem, some fans in the stadium booed and whistled, leading to the anthem being played louder on the loudspeakers. Israeli supporters waved yellow balloons and chanted “Free the Hostages” in reference to Israelis held by Hamas militants.