Germany and France Bolster Security Measures for New Year's Eve Festivities
France and Germany bolster security measures for New Year's Eve festivities, prioritizing public safety in light of potential threats European nations unite to ensure a secure and enjoyable celebration
In preparation for New Year's Eve celebrations, France and Germany have increased security measures due to concerns about potential terror attacks stemming from the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In Cologne, Germany, police are strengthening their presence in response to reports of possible Islamist threats against the city's iconic cathedral on New Year's Eve.
Officer Martin Lotz announced at a press conference that officers would be deployed in the city carrying submachine guns and wearing protective vests.
In a statement posted on social media, the city's gothic cathedral announced that it will only be open for church services until further notice "due to the current security situation."
In Berlin, police are using social media to warn against the risks of fireworks. "Don't target us. Don't use fireworks and rockets against us. Avoid charges or multiple years in prison," the Berlin police cautioned in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, ahead of New Year's Eve.
The concern has increased after violent riots broke out during last year's New Year's Eve celebrations in Berlin. Numerous people, including police officers and firefighters, were injured when fireworks were deliberately directed at them. The fireworks also led to street fires.
According to the German newspaper Die Zeit, Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner, stated that the police in the capital are more prepared this year than they were last year, and they will use full force "if necessary."
France will deploy 90,000 officers in response to a "very high terrorist threat," announced French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Friday. "I have asked for a very strong mobilisation of our police and gendarmes in a context of very high terrorist threat due to, of course, what is happening in Israel and Palestine," Darmanin told journalists.
The French Interior Ministry has reported that the number of police mobilized for New Year's Eve is similar to last year. In addition to potential terrorist threats, France typically experiences an increase in minor offenses such as car burning during the New Year celebrations.
The French Interior Ministry celebrated a decrease in the number of cars burned on December 31, 2022, with 690 compared to 874 cars set on fire on December 31, 2021. This increased security follows similar measures implemented in several European countries before Christmas Eve.
Security checks and protections for churches in countries such as France, Germany, and Austria were heightened in anticipation of Christmas Eve Mass and celebrations. In December, German and Dutch authorities apprehended four individuals believed to be members of Hamas, suspected of planning terror attacks in Europe.
