The worldwide anti-Israel sentiment since the outbreak of the Gaza war and the hostile demonstrations sweeping across Europe present numerous challenges for the security of the Israeli delegation to the Paris Olympics.
For the first time in the country’s history, Israel will compete in the Olympic Games while engaged in combat on multiple fronts, adding a layer of sensitivity to the situation. Our athletes will be the most heavily guarded delegation in France, with a record number of Shin Bet security personnel. This represents the highest budget ever allocated for the security of an Israeli sports delegation abroad, including technological means never before used in such events.
The Ministry of Culture and Sports is responsible for funding the security of Israeli delegations. While the security budget for the Rio and Tokyo Games was $1.1 million, Minister Miki Zohar decided to increase it by tens of percent this time, amounting to over $1.9 million.
Shin Bet’s Unit 730, responsible for securing individuals and delegations, is managing this complex project. The nature of the Paris Games requires a great deal of creativity from security forces, as one of the organizing committee’s decisions was to make the games accessible to as many people as possible. This means holding competitions in central, open tourist sites, such as under the Eiffel Tower and at the Place de la Concorde, or conducting the opening ceremony in 12 days on the River Seine with delegations displayed on boats sailing under the city’s various bridges.
Another challenge will be securing the Olympic Sailing Village in Marseille, a city with a large Muslim population, as well as the soccer team, which will stay in the secure Olympic Village for the first two games but will later need to travel to Nantes.
The intricate security operation, especially given the volatile situation on Israel’s borders, has preoccupied senior Shin Bet officials before the departure to France. The organization built models, conducted specialized drills, and prepared for any scenario that might arise. Training included using advanced technologies that allowed for simulations of the facilities, the Olympic Village, and the isolated building allocated for hosting the Israeli delegation.
Special security forces rehearsed routine and emergency events at a Shin Bet security complex as if they were in Paris. "This is a complex security project with meticulous operational planning that has lasted more than two years," said a security official.
One of the greatest challenges will be at the opening ceremony, which the organizing committee initially restricted regarding the number of delegation staff allowed. To avoid creating fear, it was decided that any athlete available for the opening ceremony, i.e., not competing the next day, would be allowed to participate, but the number is relatively low. In any case, special drones will hover over the Seine throughout the event, attended by hundreds of thousands of people.
"Advanced technological systems are integrated into the delegation’s security, including defense systems, cyber systems, and smart detection systems," confirmed a security official.
The opening ceremony will take place in the evening, featuring dozens of boats from various countries and the participation of heads of state. The national security unit in the Shin Bet recently undertook a large, complex operation with a high media profile during a time of war, successfully accompanying the Israeli delegation to the Eurovision held in Malmö, Sweden. The working assumption among security officials is that there will also be a motivation to create anti-Israeli provocations at the Olympics.
Intelligence Command Center
Last month, Minister Zohar visited the Shin Bet training facility with representatives from the Olympic Committee, where possible scenarios and security responses were presented. Prior to and during the security operation, there is continuous communication with local forces in France, who work in full cooperation with the Shin Bet, providing comprehensive support to the delegation and Israeli security forces. Additionally, the intelligence community, both domestically and internationally, is involved.
"The personal security unit is facing a national task: to ensure the success of the delegation and bring them to sporting achievements safely," added the security official. "The collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Minister Miki Zohar, and the Olympic Committee is excellent. They understand the importance and have fully committed, both financially and in meeting security requirements."
As mentioned, preparations for the security operation began long before October 7. In February 2022, a planning and execution directorate was established in the Shin Bet’s security division for this mission. The special force includes security personnel from all fields - anti-sabotage screening, inspection, technology, and operations.
Strict Restrictions
The Olympic security is divided into two parts: the Olympic Games and the subsequent Paralympic Games. This involves a broad deployment of dozens of Israeli security personnel at various competition sites and the Olympic Village. This is an extremely sensitive security operation during a time of rising global anti-Semitism, with a high threat level to Jews, particularly Israelis. In many countries, especially in Europe and the U.S., there are mass protests, university clashes, isolated incidents, targeted attacks, and more. France has the largest Jewish community in Europe, which has faced several antisemitic attacks this year, including the arson of a synagogue in Rouen and the storming of a Jewish Agency event in Lyon.
Minister Zohar announced that there is an open budget for the security of the Israeli delegation, including increasing it as needed, allowing the Shin Bet to use all necessary means to ensure everyone’s safety. In recent months, the minister held a series of professional meetings with Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, heads of the organization’s security division, and the head of the Ministry of Culture and Sports’ security division, updating on the special preparations.
Efforts are being made by various entities to balance security needs with the athletes’ experience at the Olympic Games, all in collaboration with the French security service responsible for overall security at the Paris Games. "We have increased the security budget for the Olympic and Paralympic Games by more than 50%, and we are ready to provide the Shin Bet with any budget required to ensure the safety of the delegations," Zohar said.
The Israeli Olympic Committee is aware that these are the first games held during wartime in Israel, requiring extensive and different preparations for understandable reasons. The Israeli Olympic Committee maintains daily contact with its international counterpart, the French police, Paris City Hall, the organizing committee, and Unit 730.
Israeli athletes were instructed, among other things, to stay no more than 48 hours after their competition in the Olympic Village and to return immediately afterward due to the significant risks. The Israeli flags will not be removed from the uniforms, and the delegation members were explicitly instructed not to engage in any provocations from other athletes or the audience.