Israel issues travel warning to nationals attending Paris Olympics
Israel’s National Security Council issued a travel warning to citizens planning to attend the Paris Olympics, which are due to open on Friday, labelling France as a “level 2 threat.”
A Level 2 threat means that while travel to a specified destination is not forbidden, Israeli travellers are urged to exercise increased caution.
“Various terrorist organizations and mostly Global Jihad groups, Hamas, and Shiite terrorist organizations (Iran and Hezbollah), are working relentlessly to harm Israelis and Jews in Israel and abroad” since October 7, the NSC said. During that time, “dozens of attempted attacks against Israelis around the world have been thwarted. It is our understanding that at least some of these organizations are planning to also attack Israeli/Jewish targets around the Olympic Games in France.”
The NSC added, “It is also highly likely that demonstrations and protests will take place during the Games, targeting Israelis and the Israeli delegation. We recommend that you stay away from such areas of friction and demonstrations, which could escalate and become violent.”
The NSC recommended that nationals attending the games download an app from the Israel Defense Force’s Home Front Command to receive real-time alerts.
Palestinian supporters have called on the International Olympic Committee to suspend Israel from the 2024 games and have threatened disruptions.
French politician Thomas Portes sparked outrage on Saturday when he told a pro-Palestinian gathering in the French capital, “The Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris. We have to use this deadline and all the levers we have to mobilize.”
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin responded by saying the 88 members of the Israeli delegation would receive reinforced 24-hour protection.
The NSC noted that an 18-year-old Chechen supporter of Islamic State was arrested in May for planning an attack at the games and that a 16-year-old supporter of ISIS was reportedly arrested in April for planning another attack with an explosive belt.
Several members of the Israeli team received emails from a so-called “People’s Defense Organization” warning athletes not to come to Paris, “and take into account that we intend to repeat the events of Munich 1972.” That was a reference to the Palestinian Black September terror group which held hostage and eventually killed 11 Israeli athletes and a German police officer during the Olympiad.
The Paris games conclude on August 11. The travel advisory also applies to the Paralympic Games from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8. Israel is sending a delegation of 33 athletes to the Paralympics.
At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 116 remaining hostages, 44 have been confirmed dead.
