French law enforcement are currently investigating an incident that occurred during an Israel-Paraguay soccer match. Fans at the match were reported to have given Nazi salutes and chanted “Heil Hitler” during the Israeli national anthem. Additionally, fans waved Palestinian flags and displayed a banner reading “Genocide Olympics” during the match, which Paraguay ultimately won 4-2.
The Olympics organizers confirmed the incident in a statement to Sky Sports, acknowledging that “a banner bearing a political message was displayed and anti-Semitic gestures were made.”
“Paris 2024 strongly condemns these acts,” the statement further added. “A complaint has been lodged by Paris 2024, which is at the disposal of the authorities to assist with the investigation.”
According to CNN, the Paris prosecutor’s office has launched a probe into reports of “aggravated incitement to racial hatred” and “incitement to discrimination.” French police are also investigating death threats made to three Israeli Olympians.
In a separate incident, the personal data of members of Israel’s delegation were leaked on social media on Friday. The leaks came one day after Israel’s foreign minister warned of Iranian efforts to target Israeli athletes and attendees at the Paris Olympics.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, expressed his outrage towards the Nazi salutes and chants, calling them “Outrageous and unacceptable.” He tweeted, “This blatant display of antisemitism has NO place in our society or at the @Olympics. Despicable.”
Coach of Israel’s national soccer team, Guy Luzon, stated at a press conference last week that his team thrives off fans’ opposition to their country. “Bring on the loudest protests,” he said. “They will make us try harder.”
The team, competing in its first Olympics in nearly half a century, tied Mali in its first match and is set to play Japan on Tuesday.
Ensuring the security of Israeli athletes at the Olympics has been a significant concern, especially in light of the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics where 11 Israeli athletes were murdered in a terrorist attack. This year, there were calls to bar Israel from the Paris Games due to its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. One American Jewish Olympian expressed nervousness ahead of the tournament due to past violence.
Olympics organizers in Paris have implemented round-the-clock security measures for Israel’s nearly 90-athlete Olympic delegation, both in the Olympic Village and during transit to Olympic venues.
Earlier this week, a now-debunked video circulated depicting a Hamas operative threatening that “rivers of blood will flow through the streets of Paris” due to Israel’s participation in the Olympics. Researchers later confirmed that the video was part of a Russian disinformation campaign.