This matchup is under heightened scrutiny by French authorities, according to reports.Activists stamped posters of Gaza farewells outside adidas arena in Paris to protest against the planned match between Paris Basketball and the Israeli occupation team of 'Maccabi Tel Aviv' pic.twitter.com/q1Inbm0SUR
— PALESTINE ONLINE ?? (@OnlinePalEng) January 14, 2025
FootBoom has reported that several units of mobile forces (UFM) will be deployed around the venue. A plan developed by the police prefecture will see several hundred police officers and gendarmes stationed to prevent any incidents inside and around the arena. The site also reported that the National Division for the Fight Against Hooliganism, which rates sporting events in France, has given this match a risk rating of 4 out of 5. In other words, it is considered high risk—marking the first time a basketball game in France has been rated at this level. Growing Tensions On December 18, 2024, Israeli basketball fans attacked Pro-Palestinian protesters after they interrupted a game between French team Nanterre and Israeli team Hapoel Holon in Paris by waving Palestinian flags. The game took place in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre, with social media footage showing activists evading security on the court as they escaped into the stands, where they were assaulted by Israeli fans. Israeli fans could be seen fighting with pro-Palestine fans and grappling with security, while some can also be seen throwing items into the crowds. Police intervened to separate the groups and reportedly used force against the activists. Israeli fans could also be heard hurling insults at the protesters."There are things that go beyond a simple basketball match… our values and the values of humanity."
— PACBI - BDS movement (@PACBI) January 8, 2025
200 member Paris Basketball fan club KOP Parisii will boycott Jan 16 match against complicit Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv over Israel's #GazaGenocide.https://t.co/yvjwI4E7bB pic.twitter.com/DFf85POFgm
This incident adds to growing tensions in the sports world amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has seen over 46,000 Palestinians killed by Israel since 7 October, 2023. Palestinian sports groups have called for a ban on Israeli participation in international events, arguing it supports Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. Activists have also condemned the vilification of Palestinian solidarity and criticised sports bodies like the Olympics and FIFA for not taking strict action against Israel amid its assault, in contrast to sporting sanctions against Russia imposed over its war on Ukraine. In a related incident in November, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans incited violence in Amsterdam ahead of their match against Dutch side Ajax. Israeli hooligans were seen tearing down Palestinian flags from private property, chanting anti-Arab slogans, and clashing with bystanders. The violence, included vandalism, property damage, and the burning of a Palestinian flag and sparked retaliatory attacks.?????« Casse-toi, sale chienne, casse-toi, sale pute » : des propos tenus par un supporter israélien lors du match de Ligue des Champions de basket entre Nanterre 92 et Hapoel Holon BC, sous le regard et la protection de la police française. https://t.co/8E5IR9vZNW pic.twitter.com/HUto31H65j
— ?ꔋ???ꔋ ????? (@StreetMediaNew) December 18, 2024
