Israel's national anthem jeered at Olympic soccer match

Israel’s national anthem has been loudly jeered as its mens soccer team kicked off the Paris Olympics with 1-1 draw against Mali.

The game began with a massive security presence outside the stadium on Wednesday night amid an increasingly strained international climate that has Paris’ safety efforts squarely in the spotlight.

The Israel team arrived under a heavy police escort, with motorbike riders at the front and about a dozen riot police vans following behind.

Armed police officers patrolled the Parc des Princes Stadium.

The atmosphere outside the venue was calm, however. Fans from both countries mingled, holding up flags and posing for photos.

Once play began, Israeli players were booed each time they touched the ball.

Security officials intervened in what appeared to be a heated argument between some fans. The commotion occurred near where one woman was holding a Palestinian flag.

“I don’t really care about the minority who don’t want Israel here,” said Michael Levy, 50, whose nephew Ethan plays in the Israeli team.

He added that he was at the stadium to have fun and enjoy the football.

“Anti-semitism is a disease and I’m not here to be the cure.”

Other Israeli fans also said they wanted an Olympic truce to forget the war in Gaza and enjoy the festivities.

Israel scored first courtesy of an own goal from defender Hamidou Diallo in the 57th minute.

Mali equalised a few minutes later on Cheickna Doumbia’s powerful header, drawing wild celebrations from the large contingent of Mali fans.

France is under pressure to make the Paris Games safe. The city has repeatedly suffered deadly extremist attacks and tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Security has been ramped up to extreme levels for Friday’s grandiose opening ceremony on the Seine River. Squadrons of police have been patrolling Paris’ streets, fighter jets and soldiers are primed to scramble and metal-fence security barriers have been erected on both sides of the river.

Paris is deploying 35,000 police officers each day for the Olympics with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony.

In addition, 10,000 soldiers are taking part in security operations in the Paris region. France also is getting help from more than 40 countries that together have sent at least 1900 police reinforcements.

Mali broke off diplomatic relations with Israel and is against the current Israeli military operation in Gaza.

In recent years, Israel renewed diplomatic ties with several Muslim countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Mali’s neighbor Guinea, Chad and Sudan.

Other matches involving Israel have led to security issues.

With Reuters