During the walk towards Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on Saturday evening, there was a conspicuous absence of enthusiasts flaunting Israeli flags. However, once inside the stadium, Israeli fans made their presence known with strong vocal support.
Even though Israeli fans hoped to focus solely on the football match against Paraguay at the Olympics, pro-Palestine spectators weren’t as eager to leave memories of the Gaza conflict behind. Palestinian flags were visible at the event, leading to provocation among some Israeli fans.
A particular Israeli fan, showing his patriotism through a flag, mentioned the aggression he faced on Parisian streets. He was of the opinion that this sporting event should be disconnected from political issues.
Due to Israel’s involvement in the Gaza war, there is an uncomfortable tension surrounding its participation in the Olympic Games. This situation also brings about safety concerns for the French authorities.
There was a display of hostility against the Israeli team in a previous football match against Mali when the Israeli national anthem was booed. However, the mood was comparatively relaxed on Saturday, with the anthem playing on without disruption, punctuated by a periodic Mexican wave rippling across the spectators.
Security was predictably rigorous at Parc de Princes, Paris Saint-Germain’s home ground.
An Israeli fan, Arkady Tishman (50), who had recently journeyed to Paris for the Olympics, was more troubled about the weather than the security. He expressed his anticipation for the rain clearing out and giving way to sunshine.
Despite the significant security measures, Tishman claimed to feel secure. He also stated that regardless of the level of security, he planned to sport his Israeli flag. He fondly recalled a reference to art prevailing over war from the opening ceremony as one of his standout moments.
In a statement, Mr Tishman expressed no resentment towards global fans showing support for Palestine, stating, “One should visit our nation to fully comprehend the situation before forming an opinion…Regrettably, we’re not on the winning side of the information conflict,” he admitted.
An additional clan of four Israeli enthusiasts reported encountering no discomfort during the Olympic Games. One member of the group stated, “The event has been pleasant, we stand proud in our country and our accomplishments.”
At the stadium, an Israeli advocate from Paris, who practices Judaism, viewed the Palestinian flags displayed by particular spectators as a cause for agitation.
During the game, many of the 48,500 spectators in the stadium championed Israel, with an active representation from Paraguay in attendance as well.
Paraguay exhibited superior performance on the field, constantly posing a threat. Marcelo Fernandez gave them an early lead with an impressive long-range goal.
Israel managed to equalise early in the second half, despite being outplayed. Soon after, Paraguay regained their lead thanks to a goal from Brighton & Hove Albion winger Julio Enciso.
A penalty was awarded to Israel just before the 80th minute, which was initially saved, but Oscar Gloukh, who plays for RB Salzburg at club level, managed to score from the rebound, potentially securing a draw for Israel. However, in the added time, two goals from Fabian Balbuena and a second from Fernandez sealed the victory for Paraguay.