France initiates investigation after Israeli athletes at Paris Olympics receive death threats

France has opened an investigation into the death threats received by the Israeli athletes, currently participating at the Paris Olympics, the prosecutor's office informed on Sunday (Jul 28).

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reported the threatening emails directed towards three Israeli athletes, adding that the investigation will be led by the national anti-online hate body.

The first messages were sent to 15 athletes' emails and were signed by an entity that identified itself as “the People’s Defense Organization,” which doesn’t exist.

“The People’s Defense Organization announces that it intends to harm any Israeli presence at the Olympics. TheJewish lobby that controls the French Parliament won’t decide anything anymore," read the message.

The message warned that there would be a repeat of the events of Munich 1972 where terrorists belonging to the Black September group broke into the Olympic village and took Israel athletes hostage - eventually killing 11 and a German police officer.

Israel's opening ceremony flagbearer, Peter Paltchik, swimmers Meiron Amir Cheruti and several others received invitations to their own funerals as well.

Private details of athletes leaked

The probe has also been initiated a day after private details of Israeli athletes were leaked on Telegram in an apparent doxing cyberattack. Data including blood test results and login credentials of the athletes were leaked.

France’s cybercrime unit (OFAC) said it was pushing to get the data removed from social media. A hacker group named "Zeus" claimed responsibility for the cyberattack.

Israel claims Iran targeting athletes

Earlier this week, the Israeli foreign minister wrote a letter to the French government, warning them of an Iranian-backed plot to attack the Israeli athletes participating in the Games.

Katz said the Israeli government had intelligence of the possible attack, with proxies of the Iranian terror groups looking to execute it.

“We currently have assessments regarding the potential threat posed by Iranian terrorist proxies and other terrorist organizations who aim to carry out attacks against members of the Israeli delegation and Israeli tourists during the Olympics," wrote FMIsrael Katz.

So far, no links to Iran or another foreign country have been establishedaccording to an AFP report but the French security agencies remainon high alert.

(With inputs from agencies)