Israel face France in a Nations League match in Paris on Thursday that will be surrounded by a huge security operation following attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam last week.

The Paris police chief has described the match at the Stade de France as "high risk" and Israel has urged fans to avoid the fixture, which authorities fear could become another flashpoint following the violence in the Netherlands.

Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were chased by men on scooters and beaten after a Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam on November 7.

Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema called it a "poisonous cocktail" of anti-Semitism.

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Dutch police said the violence came after Maccabi fans had set fire to a Palestinian flag the night before, and vandalised a taxi.

The mayor however stressed on Tuesday that "even though a more complete picture emerged" of the evening's events, "and all sorts of terrible things happened, it in no way negates that a 'hunt for Jews'" call had gone out.

The violence in Amsterdam took place with anti-Israeli sentiment and reported anti-Semitic acts across the world soaring as Israel wages wars against Iran-backed militants in Lebanon and Gaza, which have seen massive civilian casualties.

Several thousand people demonstrated in Paris on Wednesday evening against the holding of an "Israel is Forever" gala in the city, organised by far-right figures.

Protesters waved Palestinian flags and set off red flares, AFP photographs showed. Clashes broke out with police firing tear gas and some protesters damaged the window of a restaurant.

<h2>Thousands of police</h2>

A total of 4,000 police and members of the security forces will be stationed in Paris and around the Stade de France, where the athletics and rugby sevens events were held during this year's Olympics.

In a rare move, police will also be deployed inside the stadium. Civilian staff are normally assigned to those roles.

An elite police unit will guard the Israeli team on its journey to and from the stadium and another 1,600 civilian security personnel will also be on duty at the match.

The security context has clearly impacted the attendance, with only around 13,000 spectators expected to attend the game in a venue that holds up to 80,000, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Wednesday.

That is lower than the figure of 25,000 announced by Sports Minister Gil Averous earlier Wednesday.

"I can understand why people don't want to come," one of France's players, defender Dayot Upamecano, said. "It's their choice. We're going to battle on the pitch and win this match.

"I'm just here to play. I like peace and I hope one day we will have it again, in all countries," the Bayern Munich player said.

President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier will attend, as well as former presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.

A handful of French lawmakers, including from the France Unbowed (LFI) party, have called for the match to be postponed or moved to another French city. Both suggestions were quickly shut down by the government.

The Belgian government took a different course when its national men's team was to face Israel in September. It decided to move the match to Hungary citing security concerns.

Macron will be present at the match "because there was strong emotion, especially after Amsterdam", said a member of the president's team, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It is important to show support, to also say that we will not give in to fears.

"I know that there have been controversies and misunderstandings. But for us, there is no doubt about the involvement of the president in the fight against anti-Semitism."

On the pitch, France are attempting to secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. They only need a draw to do so.

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is missing from the France squad as he was for two matches last month.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Israel face France in a Nations League match in Paris on Thursday that will be surrounded by a huge security operation following attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam last week.

Israel face France in a Nations League match in Paris on Thursday that will be surrounded by a huge security operation following attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam last week. The Paris police chief has described the match at the Stade de France as "high risk" and Israel has urged fans to avoid the fixture, which authorities fear could become another flashpoint following the violence in the Netherlands. Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were chased by men on scooters and beaten after a Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam on November 7. Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema called it a "poisonous cocktail" of anti-Semitism. ALSO READ: Bruno Fernandes hopes for 'change in energy' as Ruben Amorim takes charge of Manchester United Dutch police said the violence came after Maccabi fans had set fire to a Palestinian flag the night before, and vandalised a taxi. The mayor however stressed on Tuesday that "even though a more complete picture emerged" of the evening's events, "and all sorts of terrible things happened, it in no way negates that a 'hunt for Jews'" call had gone out. The violence in Amsterdam took place with anti-Israeli sentiment and reported anti-Semitic acts across the world soaring as Israel wages wars against Iran-backed militants in Lebanon and Gaza, which have seen massive civilian casualties. Several thousand people demonstrated in Paris on Wednesday evening against the holding of an "Israel is Forever" gala in the city, organised by far-right figures. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and set off red flares, AFP photographs showed. Clashes broke out with police firing tear gas and some protesters damaged the window of a restaurant. Thousands of police A total of 4,000 police and members of the security forces will be stationed in Paris and around the Stade de France, where the athletics and rugby sevens events were held during this year's Olympics. In a rare move, police will also be deployed inside the stadium. Civilian staff are normally assigned to those roles. An elite police unit will guard the Israeli team on its journey to and from the stadium and another 1,600 civilian security personnel will also be on duty at the match. The security context has clearly impacted the attendance, with only around 13,000 spectators expected to attend the game in a venue that holds up to 80,000, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Wednesday. That is lower than the figure of 25,000 announced by Sports Minister Gil Averous earlier Wednesday. "I can understand why people don't want to come," one of France's players, defender Dayot Upamecano, said. "It's their choice. We're going to battle on the pitch and win this match. "I'm just here to play. I like peace and I hope one day we will have it again, in all countries," the Bayern Munich player said. President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier will attend, as well as former presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. A handful of French lawmakers, including from the France Unbowed (LFI) party, have called for the match to be postponed or moved to another French city. Both suggestions were quickly shut down by the government. The Belgian government took a different course when its national men's team was to face Israel in September. It decided to move the match to Hungary citing security concerns. Macron will be present at the match "because there was strong emotion, especially after Amsterdam", said a member of the president's team, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It is important to show support, to also say that we will not give in to fears. "I know that there have been controversies and misunderstandings. But for us, there is no doubt about the involvement of the president in the fight against anti-Semitism." On the pitch, France are attempting to secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. They only need a draw to do so. Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is missing from the France squad as he was for two matches last month. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Nations League: Israel-France face off under tight security following Amsterdam riots

Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the mayor called "antisemitic hit-and-run squads", and Israel sent planes to the Netherlands to fly fans home.

Mayor Femke Halsema said Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been "attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks" around the city, and that riot police intervened to protect them and escort them to hotels. At least five people were treated in hospital.

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Videos on social media showed riot police in action, with some attackers shouting anti-Israeli slurs. Footage also showed Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans before Thursday evening's match.

"We saw a lot of demonstrations, a lot of people running. It was really, really terrifying," said Joni Pogrebetsy, an Israeli soccer fan in Amsterdam for the match.

Antisemitic incidents have surged in the Netherlands since Israel launched its assault on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza after the attacks on Israel by Hamas militants in October last year, with many Jewish organisations and schools reporting threats and hate mail.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government sent planes to the Netherlands to bring fans home, while foreign minister Gideon Saar flew to Amsterdam for impromptu meetings with the Dutch government and far-right leader Geert Wilders.

Amsterdam banned demonstrations through the weekend and gave police emergency stop-and-search powers in response to the unrest, which exposed deep anger over the Gaza-Israel conflict.

More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions displaced in Israel's military offensive on Gaza, according to health officials there, launched after Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostages in the initial cross-border attack, according to Israel.

In Washington, US&nbsp;President Biden condemned the attacks as "despicable" and said they "echo dark moments in history when Jews persecuted". United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked by the violence in Amsterdam, a U.N. spokesperson said.

<h2>Security Tightened</h2>

Mayor Halsema said police had been taken by surprise after security services failed to flag the match against Ajax Amsterdam, traditionally identified as a Jewish club, as high-risk.

"Antisemitic hit-and-run squads" had managed to evade a force of around 200 officers, she said.

Security was tightened in the city, where a service was planned at a Jewish monument on Saturday to remember Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom against Jews across Germany on November&nbsp;9-10, 1938.

One video verified by Reuters showed a group of men running near Amsterdam central station, chasing and assaulting other men as police sirens sounded.

Another verified video showed Maccabi fans setting off flares and chanting "Ole, ole, let the IDF win, we will fuck the Arabs", referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was "horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens" and had assured Netanyahu by phone that "the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted".

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, who he said had "expressed deep horror and shock".

Herzog quoted the king as saying the Netherlands had failed its Jewish community during World War Two - under Nazi occupation and persecution - and again on Thursday night.

Anti-Muslim politician Wilders, head of the largest party in the government, said he was "ashamed that this can happen in the Netherlands". In a post on X, he blamed "criminal Muslims" and said they should be deported.

Police said there had been incidents before the game, for which 3,000 Maccabi supporters travelled to Amsterdam.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the mayor called "antisemitic hit-and-run squads", and Israel sent planes to the Netherlands to fly fans home.

Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters by what the mayor called "antisemitic hit-and-run squads", and Israel sent planes to the Netherlands to fly fans home. Mayor Femke Halsema said Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been "attacked, abused and pelted with fireworks" around the city, and that riot police intervened to protect them and escort them to hotels. At least five people were treated in hospital. ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola confident Manchester City will avoid fourth straight loss Videos on social media showed riot police in action, with some attackers shouting anti-Israeli slurs. Footage also showed Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans before Thursday evening's match. "We saw a lot of demonstrations, a lot of people running. It was really, really terrifying," said Joni Pogrebetsy, an Israeli soccer fan in Amsterdam for the match. Antisemitic incidents have surged in the Netherlands since Israel launched its assault on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza after the attacks on Israel by Hamas militants in October last year, with many Jewish organisations and schools reporting threats and hate mail. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government sent planes to the Netherlands to bring fans home, while foreign minister Gideon Saar flew to Amsterdam for impromptu meetings with the Dutch government and far-right leader Geert Wilders. Amsterdam banned demonstrations through the weekend and gave police emergency stop-and-search powers in response to the unrest, which exposed deep anger over the Gaza-Israel conflict. More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions displaced in Israel's military offensive on Gaza, according to health officials there, launched after Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostages in the initial cross-border attack, according to Israel. In Washington, US President Biden condemned the attacks as "despicable" and said they "echo dark moments in history when Jews persecuted". United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked by the violence in Amsterdam, a U.N. spokesperson said. Security Tightened Mayor Halsema said police had been taken by surprise after security services failed to flag the match against Ajax Amsterdam, traditionally identified as a Jewish club, as high-risk. "Antisemitic hit-and-run squads" had managed to evade a force of around 200 officers, she said. Security was tightened in the city, where a service was planned at a Jewish monument on Saturday to remember Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom against Jews across Germany on November 9-10, 1938. One video verified by Reuters showed a group of men running near Amsterdam central station, chasing and assaulting other men as police sirens sounded. Another verified video showed Maccabi fans setting off flares and chanting "Ole, ole, let the IDF win, we will fuck the Arabs", referring to the Israel Defense Forces. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was "horrified by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli citizens" and had assured Netanyahu by phone that "the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted". Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, who he said had "expressed deep horror and shock". Herzog quoted the king as saying the Netherlands had failed its Jewish community during World War Two - under Nazi occupation and persecution - and again on Thursday night. Anti-Muslim politician Wilders, head of the largest party in the government, said he was "ashamed that this can happen in the Netherlands". In a post on X, he blamed "criminal Muslims" and said they should be deported. Police said there had been incidents before the game, for which 3,000 Maccabi supporters travelled to Amsterdam. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Amsterdam bans protests after 'antisemitic' attack on Israeli football fans

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Nations League: Israel-France face off under tight security following Amsterdam riots

Amsterdam bans protests after 'antisemitic' attack on Israeli football fans