Britain’s Starmer Calls For Israeli Football Fans To Be Allowed at Aston Villa Match
London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said fans of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv should not be banned from a football match in Birmingham next month as tensions over antisemitism and protests against Israel’s war in Gaza dogged his government.
Aston Villa said traveling Maccabi fans involved in violence in Amsterdam a year ago would be barred from their Europa League match on November 6 after West Midlands police raised concerns about possible protests outside the stadium.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the announcement “shameful”.
Starmer shared on X that it was the “wrong decision”.
“We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets,” he wrote. “The role of the police is to ensure that all football fans can enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation.”
Culture Minister Lisa Nandy was to meet home office officials to find “a way to get around” the ban, an official told Sky News on Friday.
Israeli teams are at the center of Gaza protests
Maccabi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As passions over the Gaza conflict grow, Israeli teams have become a focal point for pro-Palestinian protesters.
More than 60 people were arrested after a clash broke out after the match between Maccabi and Ajax in Amsterdam last November.
Police said Maccabi fans were chased on scooters and beaten by anti-Israel gangs. Five people were treated in hospital.
In the video verified by Reuters, Maccabi fans were seen chanting anti-Arab slogans before the match. Police said Maccabi fans burned a Palestinian flag, pulled down another and damaged a taxi. The mayor later said he would not host Maccabi again.
Following the death of two Jewish worshipers in an attack on a synagogue in Manchester on October 2, the fight against antisemitism is at the top of Starmer’s agenda. On Thursday he promised extra funding for the protection of Jewish communities, accusing the Labor government of neglecting them.
Later on Friday, a court was due to rule on the home ministry’s appeal to strengthen its decision to ban the Palestine Movement campaign group under anti-terrorism laws; This ban also angered free speech campaigners.
Police fear repeat of Amsterdam violence
West Midlands Police said they recommended banning Maccabi fans to ensure public safety, adding:
“This decision is based on available intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offenses during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.”
The ban sparked condemnation from MPs in Britain. The regional police commissioner and the region’s mayor, chosen to oversee the police, called for an immediate review.
But local independent member of parliament Ayoub Khan said Israeli teams should be banned from European competitions.
“From the moment the match was announced, it was clear that there were hidden security risks that even our capable security and police authorities could not fully manage,” he said in a statement.
Last Saturday, Norwegian police used tear gas on pro-Palestinian demonstrators after the Israeli national team’s match in Oslo. In Udine, Italy, on Tuesday, mostly peaceful protests in the team’s second game ended in clashes involving police.
