Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Israeli athletes were “welcome” to the Paris Olympics, defying calls for a boycott by some left-wing French lawmakers and the Palestinian Olympic Committee.
“Welcome Israeli athletes to our country. They should be able to compete under their colors because the Olympic movement has decided this,” he told France 2 television in an interview, adding that “it is France's responsibility to protect them.”
“I strongly condemn all those who create risk for these players and threaten them,” he said.
He added that Israel had “the right to defend itself” but called the continued bombardment of Gaza – where 39,090 people have died, according to the latest estimates from the Hamas-run health ministry – “unacceptable.”
“France is the first country in Europe to call for a ceasefire,” he added.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed he would attend the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday, and Macron said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would also be “welcome” but was not expected to be in the United States.
Discussing the opening ceremony of the Paris Games as helicopters could be heard circling the capital in the background, Macron said that “we will all see on Friday night why it was worth the hassle.”
Much of central Paris is off limits ahead of the ceremony along the Seine River, with 45,000 members of the security forces on duty and 10,000 soldiers set to prevent anything from spoiling the show.
“There is a security challenge and this is true for all capitals hosting the games,” Macron said. “This is true for the opening ceremony. This will be true of all sports. “
“We need to unite as a France that welcomes the world,” added the centrist, who called snap elections in June that led to political deadlock in parliament.
Asked about the cast set to perform Friday evening, he said it would be “great news” if Quebec-born singer Celine Dion could attend, but he declined to confirm her presence.
Dion has been spotted in Paris, while Lady Gaga's video in the City of Light has also sparked rumors that she could be one of the top international artists.
