Paris Saint-Germain's resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Munich triggered widespread celebrations across France, but the festivities spiraled into violence, leaving two dead and nearly 560 people detained, with Israeli politicians taking advantage of the situation to slam France over its stand in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The French capital, gripped by both euphoria and unrest, saw clashes between fans and police, with authorities deploying tear gas and water cannons to quell the chaos.
The night of May 31, 2025, marked a historic moment for PSG, as they secured their first-ever Champions League title in a dominant performance at Munich's Allianz Arena, Sky News noted. Flares and fireworks illuminated Paris as supporters celebrated the monumental win. However, the jubilation quickly escalated into disorder near the Parc des Princes stadium and along the iconic Champs Élysées. French police, numbering 5,400 across the city, faced significant challenges as crowds turned violent.
According to Sky News, the unrest intensified at the Place de l'Étoile, near the Arc de Triomphe, where a water cannon was deployed to protect the area. A large group, reportedly not focused on the match, attempted to breach police barriers, sparking confrontations. Among the 131 arrests made in Paris, 30 individuals were detained for looting a shoe shop on the Champs Élysées, highlighting the scale of the disorder.
The French interior ministry confirmed the tragic loss of two lives during the disturbances, though specific details about the fatalities remain limited, Sky News stated. Across France, the arrest tally reached 559, reflecting the widespread nature of the unrest. Authorities used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse crowds, particularly as some set vehicles ablaze and blocked streets, further fueling the chaos.
Despite the violence, PSG's triumph was a landmark achievement, with young star Désiré Doué scoring twice in the final, Sky News reported. The club's victory, described as the most decisive in Champions League final history, fulfilled a long-standing ambition for the Parisian side. However, the night's celebrations were marred by the destructive actions of some, casting a shadow over the historic win.
Meanwhile, Knesset member Ohad Tal sarcastically called for the establishment of "Paristine" in the French Riviera, expressing concern over recent riots. "It's time to recognize the rights of the Muslim minority in France and establish the state of Paristine in the French Riviera!" Tal quipped, referencing violent unrest in Paris following a Champions League victory. He echoed a similar suggestion made by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who slammed President Emmanuel Macron for convening a conference in France to establish a Palestinian state.
The chaos in Paris was also marked by antisemitic vandalism, including the defacement of two synagogues, and the attack on a local Holocaust memorial. Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, condemned the riots as "not just a slap in the face to France, but a glaring warning sign of a future of chaos and lack of control." He lamented that instead of celebrating a sporting achievement, certain communities "extinguished the light in the City of Light."
Knesset member Eliyahu Revivo also weighed in, suggesting that the violent night in Paris served as a "preview" of the Palestinian state France seeks to establish. His remarks underscored a broader Israeli critique of France's foreign policy, particularly in light of recent antisemitic incidents and public disorder in the French capital.
President Macron should stop pushing for a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Jewish homeland and start acting against antisemitism in his own country.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 1, 2025
"The attacks on synagogues and a Holocaust memorial in Paris are a direct result of the rampant incitement against Jews in France," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X. "President Macron should stop pushing for a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Jewish homeland and start acting against antisemitism in his own country."
