Security is of paramount importance at any international sporting event, especially in the context of the Olympic Games, which will take place in the midst of various ongoing geopolitical, religious, and historical conflicts around the world. The decision to hold the Opening Ceremony outside of a specific venue such as a stadium, as has been the case for the previous 32 editions, makes security a challenging state issue. 

Securing a stadium or a defined perimeter is not the same as securing a six-kilometre route through the heart of a mega-city like Paris, both on land and on water. Around 10,500 people will travel along this route to reach the Trocadero, where the final elements of the ceremony and the performances will take place. 

All of these factors contribute to the security challenges faced by Paris 2024, which has been forced to reduce the number of spectators to about half of the original plan (a number that could be further reduced). Despite the security concerns, Israeli athletes will take part in the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the head of the Israeli Olympic Committee told AFP.

Fears over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have led to speculation about Israel's participation and its special security operation. In response, the head of the Israeli Olympic Committee, Yael Arad, stated in an interview in Tel Aviv: 'Israel will be at the opening ceremony. I'm sure they will do everything possible to make this event safe." 

Regarding the accommodation of Israeli athletes, the former judoka, who won a silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, mentioned that they would stay in the Olympic Village like other teams. She emphasised that any discrimination against Israeli athletes during the Games, which will be running from 26 July to 11 August, would not be tolerated. Having qualified in football, Israel will also play their first match on the Wednesday or Thursday before the official start of Paris 2024, depending on the draw. 

One of the saddest episodes in Olympic history took place in Germany on 5 September 1972, during the second week of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. A commando from the Palestinian terrorist group 'Black September' kidnapped and killed 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team and a policeman.