Arab countries are preparing for the Olympic games that will begin in Paris in less than two weeks and some of them will be sending not only competing athletes but also military forces to assist in the protection of the world's largest sporting event.
Qatar for example has already sent troops and they can be seenon the streets of Paris in photos published by the Interior Ministry in Doha.
"Our preparations to secure the Paris 2024 Olympics are completed. The force is entirely set to fulfill its mission," Qatari Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani said. "You not only represent yourselves but all of Qatar, the Emir and the entire Arab, Muslim nation.
After a clip of his meeting with the delegation was posted on line some people voiced criticism over Qatar sending troops to Paris but not to Gaza. This is not the first time Doha and France have cooperated on matters of security. Qatari forces were involved in the security of the 2022 Soccer World Cup.
The United Arab Emirates also trained forces to assist in security in Paris. Interior Minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in a post on X that he met with the delegation from the police and other security agencies heading to the games. He too posted a clip of that gathering including UAE troops participating in French lessons. In the video, the minister asks that the event be properly secured and that all visitors from around the world be treated properly and equally.
Israel is at the center of online campaigns calling for its exclusion from the Olympic games over the war in Gaza. Some photos were posted with the caption: "Israel's participation in Paris will give the games the taste of blood."
Israeli athletes are depicted in one post waving as they march in the opening ceremony, with blood on their hands. In another, an Israeli tank is shown with the Olympic logo coming out of its cannon.
Israeli archer Itai Shani is seen aiming his arrows at a Palestinian child. "He is not an athlete. He represents the murderous enemy," the caption reads.
A 20-strong Palestinian delegation will participate in the games, the Palestinian Authority said earlier this week, and would be "a platform for denouncing the war in Gaza." Most of the athletes reside outside Israel and the territories and have foreign passports.