In preparation for the Paris Olympics 2024, the Israeli Olympic Committee has taken extensive security measures to ensure the safety of its athletes. This comes after the tragic events during the Munich 1972 Olympics, where 11 Israelis were murdered by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September.

According to French publication Le Point, a ceremony will be held during the Paris Games to commemorate the lives lost in the Munich attack. The exact date and location of the ceremony have yet to be announced.

Yael Arad, the chairwoman of the Israel Olympic Committee, expressed the team's readiness for any potential threats. "It was clear to us that such a troll would come. We prepared for it. We instructed the athletes on how to act when it comes, and we had many conversations and meetings on the subject," she said, as reported by Walla.

In a significant move, the Israeli Olympic team arrived in Paris where they were met with a high security presence. The Telegraph, a British publication, revealed that armed Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) agents have been deployed to Paris to oversee the largest-ever security operation for Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games.

Israel's Culture and Sport Minister, Miki Zohar, acknowledged the presence of threats against the team but declined to provide details. However, he emphasized that security preparations had been underway for a year and the team's security budget had been doubled to address increased threats against Jews and Israelis resulting from the Israel-Hamas war.

Former Shin Bet chief, Yaakov Peri, highlighted the extensive planning and security challenges faced by Israel's delegation. He stated that Israeli officers were likely already assessing the area in France to identify any potential threats.

Out of the 88 Israeli athletes participating in the Paris Olympics, each will have individual security details provided by the Shin Bet. Zohar mentioned that not all would have personal bodyguards, as they aimed to strike a balance between freedom and safety for the athletes.

Israeli security guards will be equipped with weapons and technologies and will collaborate with local security and police forces, according to former Shin Bet officer Lior Akerman.

France has also ramped up security measures ahead of the Games, restricting entry to parts of the city through permit requirements, as reported by the BBC. The opening ceremony will be closely monitored by approximately 40,000 security personnel, police, and gendarmes to safeguard the 10,500 participating athletes.

Highlighting the significance of the Israeli football team, Le Point mentioned that stringent security arrangements would be in place during their training sessions on July 21, 23, and 26.

Akerman emphasized the need for comprehensive security from the moment of arrival in France until the team's return home. He expressed confidence in the combination of Israeli expertise, cooperation with local security forces, and stringent measures ensuring the delegation's safety.

An anonymous diplomatic official commended the excellent security cooperation between Israel and France, further reinforcing the efforts to protect the athletes.

Former chief Peri warned about the potential threat coming from multiple sources, including Hamas and other terrorist groups, with Iran being a primary concern. He also raised concerns about the level of antisemitism in France.

In a related development, the Palestine Olympic Committee (POC) called for a ban on Israeli athletes participating in the Paris Olympics, citing alleged human rights violations by Israel. However, no official statement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding this request has been made.

The heightened security measures implemented by Israel underscore the commitment to ensuring the safety of its athletes during the Paris Olympics. The concerns expressed by Israeli officials reflect the realities of a world grappling with persistent threats of terrorism and the need for increased vigilance to protect participants and spectators alike.