Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Protesters storm French Football Federation over Israel game

In video footage of the incident, some demonstrators are seen holding placards with political slogans and Palestinian flags.

The headquarters of the French Football Federation at Boulevard de Grenelle in Paris, France, Oct. 4, 2024. Photo by Ricardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images.
The headquarters of the French Football Federation at Boulevard de Grenelle in Paris, France, Oct. 4, 2024. Photo by Ricardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images.

Scores of anti-Israel protesters burst into the French Football Federation offices in Paris on Monday, and demanded the cancellation of an upcoming Nations League game between France and the Jewish state.

In video footage posted on social media, the protesters, wearing red gloves and “blood” bags, are seen lying on the floor of the headquarters or holding placards with political slogans and Palestinian flags.

Some can be heard chanting: “No, no, no to the France-Israel game at the Stade de France.”

The Nov. 14 match is slated to go ahead, with fans allowed in the stadium. This is after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident, despite security concerns spurred by the year-long war against Hamas in Gaza.

“For the love of God, if Israel is not capable of creating an investigation committee, then I think it is suitable and appropriate that the good people of the United States, the people in Congress, do provide us the answers that we’re looking for,” Ruby Chen said.
The reversal “sends an unfortunate signal at a time of rising antisemitism and sustained efforts to isolate Israel economically,” Evan R. Bernstein, CEO of B’nai B’rith International, told JNS.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement condemned the disruption, calling claims that Israel commits genocide and kills children a modern blood libel.
Mark Levine “pledged many times to restore New York City’s investment in Israel Bonds and had it right when he called them ‘a long-term safe and secure investment,’” an Israel Bonds spokesman told JNS.