France Investigates death threats against Israeli athletes
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to find out where the threats came from. The threats were made in e-mails that reached the Israeli Olympic delegation. The French Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, has reported this fact.
Paris is currently immersed in the excitement of the Olympics, yet it also faces heightened security measures designed to ensure safety throughout the event. These measures were especially evident during the Opening Ceremony and will remain in place until the Games conclude on August 11.
To safeguard the Olympic venues, the Olympic Village, and major tourist areas, around 18,000 military personnel have been deployed, alongside additional police forces. Security efforts extend beyond physical protection to include cybersecurity. For instance, the Israeli delegation has reported receiving threatening emails targeting three of its athletes.
For the moment, no connection has been established as to where the threats came from. Nor has it been concluded that there is a link to the publication of private data of Israeli athletes that came to light last Friday.
Retrouvez l’intégralité de mon interview au #jt13h de France 2 au lendemain de la cérémonie d’ouverture des #JeuxOlympiques de #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/Rfcvn6gDkC— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) July 27, 2024
The police cybercrime unit is trying to remove these published data from social networks. The personal data includes blood test results, login details or the military status of athletes.
France has set up a special arrangement to protect the Israeli delegation because of the situation in Gaza. The violence there and the reactions around the world are in the media on a daily basis. The same is happening at the Olympic Games.
At the opening ceremony, the Palestinian flag-bearer, Waseem Abu Sal, appeared wearing a T-shirt depicting children bombed in his country. For its part, Iraq requested that Israel’s flag not be flown at the Games alongside its own, but the request was rejected.