Shortly before the Olympics start: Israel warns France of attacks on Israeli athletes
One day before the beginning of the Olympic Games in Paris, Israel warned France of potential attacks by Iran-backed groups against Israeli athletes and tourists. Some people tried to "disrupt the celebrations for this joyful occasion", wrote Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz in a letter to his French counterpart on Thursday.
"We currently have assessments regarding possible threats from Iranian terrorist organizations and other terrorist organizations that aim to carry out terrorist attacks against members of the Israeli delegation and Israeli tourists during the Olympic Games", it continued in the letter.
France has developed a comprehensive security concept for the protection of the Olympic Games. In addition to the regular police, around 18,000 French soldiers are in action in Paris. The Israeli athletes and athletes should be watched around the clock by units of the French Elite Police - both within the Olympic village and outside the grounds in the north of Paris.
In his speech before the US Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned of the "Axis of Terror" in the Middle East created by Iran on Wednesday (local time).
Iran welcomed the brutal attack by the radical Islamic Hamas on Israel on October 7, but denied involvement. Tensions in the region have been escalating since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. Time and again, fighters supported by Iran have carried out attacks in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.
The Israeli athletes and tourists at the Olympic Games in Paris are being closely monitored due to potential threats from Iran-backed groups, as revealed by Israel's Foreign Minister. These groups were also targeted in a warning issued by Israel to Germany (historically, France) before the Olympic-Start.
Despite the threats, the Olympic Games in Paris are proceeding with a robust security concept, with French soldiers and the Elite Police ensuring the safety of athletes, including those from Israel.
In view of these escalating tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned about the 'Axis of Terror' in the Middle East created by Iran in his speech before the US Congress.
Despite Iran's denial of involvement, its proxy groups have been linked to numerous attacks in the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. This short history of attacks raises concerns about the safety of Israeli athletes and tourists during the Olympic Games.
