Israeli athletes face safety concerns ahead of Olympic Games in Paris

As Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza continues, Israeli athletes are under enhanced security as concerns for their safety grow ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Those concerns have reportedly deepened after a far-left member of French Parliament was accused of endangering Israeli athletes during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday, July 20.

"The Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris and Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris," Lawmaker Thomas Portes said during the demonstration.

Portes also reportedly pushed for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban the Israeli flag and anthem, citing a double standard when it comes to Israeli and Russian athletes. He encouraged those opposed to Israel's war in Gaza to "demonstrate against the country's presence at the Games" as well.

The head of Jewish Institutions in France accused Portes of "putting a target on the backs of Israeli athletes," reminding Portes of the deadly attack on Israeli athletes in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Meanwhile, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin condemned Portes remarks, saying the "hints of antisemitism in his comments are obvious."

Darmanin said "Israeli athletes would receive 24-hour protection during the Olympics."

Some French lawmakers offered a partial defense of Portes remarks.

"Faced with repeated violations of international law by the Israeli government, it is legitimate to ask that its athletes compete under a neutral banner in the Olympic Games," Lawmaker Manuel Bompard said .

The Palestinian Olympic Committee has also asked for Israel to be banned from the Games. In a letter to the IOC on Monday, July 22, the committee said the bombing of Gaza was "a breach of international truce."

Hundreds of Israeli security personnel are reportedly in Paris to protect the 88 Israeli athletes and dozens of delegates at the Olympics. Additionally, France has 30,000 police officers and 15,000 soldiers in Paris. Police intelligence has already foiled at least two plots to attack the Games.

The Israeli delegation left for Paris on July 2, and the Israeli Olympic Committee's president said that he has "full confidence in the organization of security."

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