PARIS, Nov 11, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Israel has urged fans to avoid Thursday's

France-Israel football tie, which authorities fear could become a flashpoint
following violence in Amsterdam surrounding a match involving an Israeli
team.

Despite a large police presence and the expected attendance of French
President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli officials on Sunday warned fans to stay
away because of fears they could be targeted.

A right-wing Jewish group has nevertheless announced a rally ahead of the
Nations League tie.

The Paris fixture will take place a week after clashes in Amsterdam around a
match between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax.

The violence was condemned as "anti-Semitic" by Israeli, US, Dutch and
European leaders. About two dozen people were injured, while police said they
had made more than 60 arrests.

Describing the France-Israel fixture as high risk, Paris police chief Laurent
Nunez said 4,000 gendarmes would be deployed around the Stade de France, on
public transport and across the French capital.

Such a massive deployment was "highly unusual" for an international match,
Nunez told French broadcaster BFMTV, adding that the national police force's
elite unit would be tasked with protecting Israel's footballers.

"We will not tolerate any overspill or disturbances to public order," he
said.

- 'Intolerable anti-Semitism' -

In Jerusalem, the National Security Council on Sunday urged Israeli fans to
"avoid attending sports games/cultural events involving Israelis, with an
emphasis on the upcoming match of the Israeli national team in Paris".

Organisations wishing to attack Israel had been identified in a number of
European cities, including Paris, it warned, advising its nationals not to
have recognisable Israeli or Jewish signs on display.

The match comes amid a tide of rising anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim abuse since
the start of Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Macron's office on Sunday said the French president would attend the upcoming
tie to "send a message of fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable
acts of anti-Semitism that followed the match in Amsterdam this week".

The scenes in Amsterdam last week sparked widespread international
condemnation, with US President Joe Biden and European leaders denouncing the
"anti-semitic" violence against Jews.

The Palestinian foreign ministry reported "anti-Arab chanting".

Following rising tensions in the run-up to the Europa League game, groups of
men on scooters launched "hit-and-run" attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv
supporters.

This came after sporadic incidents linked to both Maccabi supporters --
accused of chanting and singing anti-Palestinian slogans and songs -- and
opposing groups of youths.

Amsterdam police said some Maccabi supporters had burned a Palestinian flag
on the Dam central square, and vandalised a taxi.

Police said the attackers responded to calls on social media to target Jewish
people.

Authorities have since mobilised additional police and extended a ban on
wearing masks.

At least 63 people have been arrested in connection with last week's violence
and more detentions are expected.

- Protest planned -

Right-wing Jewish movement Betar on Sunday said it would organise a protest
against anti-Semitism ahead of the tie.

World Betar, a pro-Israel youth movement, was also planning to host Israel's
far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on the sidelines of a gala on
Wednesday in support of Israel organised by far-right individuals.

Several associations, unions and French leftist parties had denounced the
"Israel is forever" event, and in particular Smotrich's planned appearance.

But police chief Nunez -- who gave his approval for the gala to be held --
said that Smotrich might not attend.

"I understand that in the end, he won't be there," he said.

Betar is active worldwide and has links to the Israeli right.

The group's CEO Yigal Brand said in a statement on Sunday that the movement
was "outraged at what has happened in Amsterdam.

"We are proud Zionists and have nothing to apologise for," he added.

Israeli authorities had warned fans against attending a Maccabi Tel Aviv
basketball match in the Italian city of Bologna on Friday, which ended
without incident.

Following the violence in Amsterdam, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said he had ordered the Mossad spy agency to draw up a plan to
prevent unrest at events abroad.