ISRAEL'S participation in the Paris Olympics got under way with a chorus of boos at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
More than 1000 French police, including masked counter-terrorist officers, created an additional security barrier prior to the nation’s clash with Mali in their first game in the men’s football competition.
Israel’s national anthem was booed loudly by some sections in the approximately half-full stadium prior to kick-off.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who greeted police outside the stadium prior to kick-off and attended the match, said the additional deployment was necessary in order “to ensure that we are there for the sport.”
Tempers frayed in a section of the stands immediately beneath the media tribune, where a small number of spectators waved Palestinian flags, as security officials tried to intervene.
Because Palestine has a team of eight athletes competing at the Games, Palestinian flags are permitted inside all Paris Olympic venues.
More than 20 police vans and a cavalcade of motor bikes surrounded the Israeli team bus as it swept from the team’s compound in the northern suburbs to the famous old stadium.
There had been warnings of protests by pro-Palestinian campaigners over the war in Gaza in the lead-up to the match.
Mali, whose population is 95 per cent Muslim, has not had diplomatic relations with Israel since 1973.
Last week, the Palestinian Football Association submitted a motion to suspend Israel from international competition, which world governing body FIFA said it will consider following the end of the Games.
