Israeli nationalists plan Paris events despite government warnings to stay away

Israeli nationalist groups are planning events in Paris before the Israel-France football match on Thursday, despite warnings from the Israeli government, and opposition from French politicians and activist groups.

Israel’s national security council has urged nationals to “categorically avoid attending Israeli sports cultural events abroad, and specifically the Israeli teams’ upcoming match in Paris” following violence around a Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam last week that left several Israelis injured, warning that they could become targets.

But the Israel is Forever foundation, a French-Israeli group that describes its mission as “mobilisation of French-speaking Zionist forces”, says it will go ahead with a rally on Wednesday featuring Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The event goes ahead despite a legal challenge from activist groups, and protests that were joined by MPs.

An open letter published by Le Monde on Monday signed by politicians and public figures called for the event to be cancelled, citing “hateful rhetoric” from Smotrich such as calling Palestinians an “invention”, opposing aid being allowed into Gaza, and expanding Israel’s borders into neighbouring countries.

“Such a gala would not only be a danger to public order, but also an insult to international law and the honour of our country,” the letter stated.

Left-wing groups have pledged to oppose the event. “Smotrich and his genocidal allies in France will not pass. We must do everything to ensure that this gala does not take place,” wrote Paris-based Antifascist Action on social media.

The organisers of the rally and participating groups did not respond to a request for comment.

Betar, a century-old Israeli right-wing nationalist movement with roots in pre-independence militias that is aligned with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, said it will also have a presence at the rally on Wednesday, with futher events planned for Thursday.

“We will be present in France this week with a group, and we say to the governments of the world surrendering to jihadis is unacceptable,” Betar said in a statement. “Now is the time to fight back and for people to stand up.”

i understands that some of the group’s activists are based in France and willing to go against the Israeli government’s guidance, while others will travel from abroad.

A separate statement from Betar called for “mass deportation of jihadis, and jailings”, in reference to the alleged perpetrators of attacks on Israelis in Amsterdam last week.

The group posted images on its social media accounts of members on patrol in the Dutch capital, in some cases taking down pro-Palestine stickers, as well as posing with Israeli minister Gideon Sa’ar and speaker of parliament, Amir Ohana.

The group describes members as “Bear Jews” in reference to a Nazi hunter character from the Quentin Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds.

Betar’s Europe co-ordinator, who did not give their name, said details of events in Paris could not be shared for security reasons but said they “hope it does not come to any altercations”.

“We are prepared, and we want to keep our people safe,” said the co-ordinator, who will be in Paris. “We are not there to attack, but to defend.”

French police say 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed at the Stade de France on Thursday as part of a beefed up security operation for the Uefa Nations League match. President Emmanuel Macron will attend in a gesture of “fraternity and solidarity”.

In recent months, Betar has taken on an activist role outside Israel, challenging pro-Palestine protests in US cities, and presenting a pager to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres at his home in New York while branding him a “terrorist” – a reference to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah.

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Betar is also offering a cash reward for the recovery of a bust of Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel, that was stolen from a museum by activist group Palestine Action.

The Europe co-ordinator said the group’s politics were right wing and members meet with Smotrich. Betar’s social media accounts have made statements in support of Tommy Robinson, former leader of the far-right English Defence League.

Shaul Adar, author of On the Border, about the history of Betar and its institutions, with a focus on Betar Jerusalem football club, told i it has become a “far-right” movement that “stands for Israeli nationalism, traditional Jewish values, and support [for] Likud and the prime minister”.