Shadow of Hamas Leader's Death on Paris Olympics 2024: French Security Agencies on Alert

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Paris, Aug 1: These are troubled times for the world at large. Tension over Russia vs Ukraine and the Israel vs Palestine conflict continues to affect people directly or indirectly, even at the Paris Olympics, now in full swing.

With recent news of a Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh being killed in Tehran, courtesy of an Israeli strike, the mood is sombre. Nobody has confirmed, officially, if Israel did the hit job, but the Palestinians are smarting. Forget what is happening in geopolitics, vis a vis sports and the arenas in Paris 2024 there is anger and resentment.

Before the Games began, even within the political establishment in France, some people did not want the Israeli athletes to compete. That had to be overlooked as it is the IOC - International Olympic Committee, headed by Thomas Bach who took the call. When it came to Russia and Belarus, the IOC put its foot down and said not to these two countries.

Mood Against Israeli Athletes In Paris

Indeed, as the Paris 2024 Games are now in full swing, talking to media from the Arab world and the Western world conveys a few things. It is hard to expect these writers to come on record in Paris, but the media fraternity favouring Palestine is predominantly from Muslim-dominated countries. If you throw the scribes into a boxing ring and a slugfest happens, it will be mayhem.

What is indeed worrying at this point in time for organisers of Paris 2024 is bolstering security further for the Israeli athletes? Images of them being protected by armed convoys are there in the public domain.

Within France, even those with French passports, are angry if you talk on Israel and Palestine. After all, when Palestine first 'began war' on October 7, it was around the last few days of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Mood Of Local Parisians About Indians

Zeenia, a Paris restaurant owner talked to Tracking Paris and said: "We are hated in Paris for being Muslim. If I get married and settle down, it will be in another country." This one sentiment echoed by a 21-year-old girl says a lot. Though Zeenia was born in Paris, she likes Indians and Indian food. "You guys are friendly," she said.

If you heard some of the Palestinian athletes speaking during the Games, the mood is one of anger. Israeli and Palestinian judokas had hit the mats on Tuesday. Luckily, they were not competing against each other.

"At the Olympics, we are here to make peace but if you are making war in the country and want to make peace here (in Paris) it is like having two faces," said Feras Badawai, after losing his match to a judoka from Tajikistan.

Security Forces On Alert In Paris

Security in Paris is high and the local police look stern. They know, the world is watching them and nothing can go wrong. Try even talking to one cop, there will be a nasty glance.

With news of a Hamas leader getting killed, the security apparatus comes under more stress. Nobody can take it lightly. Venues are secured and athletes from Israel cannot roam around freely like other athletes from countries where there is no stress.

Bitter Memories of Munich 1972 Refreshed

Rewind to the Munich Olympics in 1972, when 11 Israeli athletes were killed after being taken hostage, it shocked the world. Even now, before the Paris Olympics began, many Israeli athletes were getting emails on "a repeat of 1972 Munich."

Nothing could be ignored, as an email threat is also dangerous. For those who have read about "Black September," when Palestinian guerillas attacked the Athletes Village in Munich 52 years ago, it was one of the worst moments. That the Games were stopped for one day and then resumed is well known.

It is strange, after five decades, how Israel vs Palestine rages and the Gaza Strip being reduced to rubble has angered people. Nobody messes with Israel is the message but the damage in terms of human lives and kids being killed is a stark reality.

To talk of all this during the Olympics is important as it makes headlines. And the worst part, Paris has to be on its toes 24x7 till the closing ceremony ends. Global peace does not exist and from Iraq vs Iran to Russia vs Ukraine and Israel bombarding Palestine, all these are hot topics during the Olympics.

Till August 11, Paris and other cities in France will be on the edge. Perhaps, that is the reason why some Parisians left the country during the Games and will return later.