THIS is the dramatic moment Israeli fans were attacked on a chaotic Olympics opening night amid an urgent terror warning.
Pro-Palestine protests were held as the Paris games’ major security operation at Israel’s first appearance went mostly untested.
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The Paris 2024 Olympic Games officially begin on Friday, but the football competition has already kicked off and will wrap up on September 8 with the end of the Paralympic Games.
Booing echoed across the Parc des Princes during the Israeli national anthem at the anticipated tinderbox match against Mali on Wednesday.
During the game, hefty security guards were seen stepping four times in two different parts of the stadium, breaking up sometimes violent incidents between small groups of demonstrators and Israelis.
A clip on X, formerly Twitter, shows Pro-Palestine fans clashing with Israelis sat just metres away as they shouted abuse to one another.
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The video, shared by @visegrad24 was captioned: “People are trying to attack Israeli fans at the Paris Olympics.
“Not enough free space has been made in the stands to stop attempts at attacking Israeli fans watching the football match between Israel and Mali.”
Another clip shows what appears to be a flare thrown at the Israeli supporters following the game.
Crowds could be seen walking away from the stadium, when a fiery object is seen flying across the night sky.
France‘s BRI Research and Intervention Brigade was also present as it patrolled fans outside the stadium, but did not have to take any action.
A group of eight men and women were let to remain inside despite raising Palestine flags, but four activists wearing “Free Palestine” T-shirts were escorted out of the seats before kick-off.
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Meanwhile, a mum and her young daughter sitting close to some of the protesters in an area reserved for Olympic officials decided to leave the game during the first half.
The woman shouted at the Pro-Palestine activists as she left.
Small groups of Israeli supporters surrounded the demonstrators with their national flags, and at least two men who were enraged by the protest were asked to leave during the first half.
Despite the small flare-ups on the stands, no major chaos erupted during Israel and Mali’s 1-1 draw on Wednesday night, according The Telegraph.
It comes as Israel urged those attending the Paris Olympics to exercise extra caution amid terror threats, The Times of Israel reports.
The country’s National Security Council (NSC) believes that global jihadist and Iran-backed terror organisations “are seeking to carry out attacks on Israeli/Jewish targets around the Olympics.”
The NSC told Israelis on Sunday: “International events such as this represent a preferred target for threats and attacks from various terror groups, because of the potential for the wide media impact.”
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Travellers were warned to avoid anti-Israel demonstrations and download the IDF Home Front Command app.
The NSC added that Israel is not raising the warning level for France, which is classified as Level 2: Potential Threat.
But recommended tourists to take “increased precautionary measures” when in France.
The French capital’s Olympic Games is set to become the most guarded Games ever with over 60,000 cops and soldiers, drones, helicopters and a huge increase in AI surveillance all deployed after months of growing safety concerns.
Over 43 countries are involved in ensuring the Olympics are kept secure with French officials claiming the “unprecedented” operations are at least three times larger than at London 2012.
The robust defence system will be headed up by over 45,000 police officers and a huge force of up to 18,000 soldiers.
France’s largest deployment of troops since World War Two aims to keep the 15 million visitors and 10,500 Olympic Games competitors safe.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s opener with Morocco marked a disastrous start for the Paris Olympics football tournament.
Fans threw firecrackers and other dangerous objects at Argentinian stars after they seemingly scored a last minute equaliser.
Some supporters even marched on the pitch and missiles were thrown leaving the South American Olympic squad ducking and diving to escape.
Israel’s Wednesday match was the first major test of Paris’ mammoth “patchwork of steel” security operation.
