Israeli athletes will be provided with 24-hour security during the Paris Olympics, according to France's interior minister, following comments from a far-left lawmaker who stated that Israel's delegation was not welcome and called for protests against their participation. The Games commence on Friday amidst significant security concerns and escalated geopolitical tensions due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The Israeli war that has ravaged Gaza has sparked intense debate among France's far left, with some critics alleging antisemitism among pro-Palestinian members.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed in a television interview on Sunday evening that Israeli athletes would receive round-the-clock protection during the Games. This announcement came after far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party lawmaker Thomas Portes was recorded stating that Israeli Olympic athletes were unwelcome in France and that protests should be organized against their involvement in the Games.
Portes, who did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters, declared, "We are a few days away from an international event which will be held in Paris, which is the Olympic Games. And I am here to say that no, the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris," to applause, as seen in images posted on social media. The Israeli embassy declined to comment.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne expressed France's welcome to the Israeli delegation during a meeting with European Union counterparts in Brussels, stating, "I want to say on behalf of France, to the Israeli delegation, we welcome you to France for these Olympic Games." He further mentioned that he would reiterate this sentiment in an upcoming phone call with his Israeli counterpart and ensure the security of the Israeli delegation.
Paul Benvie, a US State Department official coordinating Olympics security for Team USA, mentioned that anti-Israeli sentiment was among the issues being considered by Washington, part of an ongoing analysis to adjust strategies as needed. Some LFI lawmakers partially defended Portes' comments, with senior party official and lawmaker Manuel Bompard supporting Portes on social media platform X, stating that it was legitimate to ask that Israeli athletes compete under a neutral banner in the Olympic Games due to repeated violations of international law by the Israeli government.
Israel denies violating international law in its war in Gaza, which was triggered by a cross-border Hamas attack in October last year. The complex security issues surrounding the Israeli delegation were highlighted when a memorial ceremony for the Israeli athletes killed in the 1972 Munich attack was relocated from outside Paris' City Hall to the Israeli embassy. The Palestinian Olympic Committee has joined calls for Israel's exclusion from the Games in an open letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, accusing Israel of breaching the traditional Olympic truce with continued military action in Gaza.
The Games begin on Friday with a grand opening ceremony along the Seine, featuring athletes paraded in barges down the river. Participation is optional, and Israeli officials have not disclosed whether Israel's athletes will partake.
