Antisemitic Protests Disrupt Israel's Olympic Soccer Match Against Paraguay

During Israel's men’s soccer match against Paraguay on Saturday night, antisemitic protesters disrupted the event by chanting offensive slogans, including "Heil Hitler," and performing Nazi salutes while Israel's national anthem played. The match ended with Paraguay defeating Israel 4-2, marking the second instance of such protests during the Olympics, following a similar incident against Mali the previous week. In response to the protests, Israel's head coach Guy Luzon maintained a positive outlook, stating that the loud protests would motivate the team to perform better. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has heightened security concerns, leading to increased police presence around Israeli athletes. The soccer team arrived at the match under heavy police escort, with armed officers patrolling the stadium to ensure their safety. In light of the incidents, French police have initiated an investigation into death threats received by three Israeli athletes at the Games. Additionally, Olympic organizers have called for an inquiry into the antisemitic demonstrations that occurred during Saturday's match. Paris 2024 officials condemned the actions, stating that a complaint has been lodged to assist authorities in their investigation. To ensure the safety of all participating nations, France has deployed 35,000 officers daily for the Olympics, with an additional 45,000 present for the opening ceremonies. The country is also receiving support from nearly 2,000 reinforcements sent by 40 other nations, underscoring the commitment to maintaining security during the Games.