British PM Keir Starmer slams police ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans as “the wrong decision,” amid mounting fury over antisemitism and rising hostility to Israel in the UK.
Britain is reeling from a furious political and public backlash after West Midlands Police barred Israeli fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their Europa League clash against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6 — a move critics call a “national disgrace” and a surrender to antisemitic intimidation.
The local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) classified the match as “high risk,” citing security concerns and previous violent incidents — including antisemitic assaults on Israeli fans in Amsterdam during a 2023 match against Ajax. Instead of strengthening security, however, officials opted to ban all Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the stadium, effectively criminalizing the victims.
Starmer: “We Will Not Tolerate Antisemitism”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer blasted the ruling, telling Sky News:
“This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation.”
Starmer’s statement was backed by senior ministers who warned that Britain cannot allow extremist threats to dictate who may or may not participate in public life.
Badenoch: “A National Disgrace”
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch went further, calling the ban “a national disgrace.”
“If Jewish fans cannot attend a football match in Britain, what does that say about our country? It sends a horrendous and shameful message — that there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go.”
Her comments struck a deep chord across party lines, as lawmakers and community leaders demanded that police reverse what they call a cowardly capitulation to antisemitic mobs.
Jewish Leaders Condemn ‘Perverse’ Decision
The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) described the exclusion of Israeli fans as “perverse,” urging that if genuine security concerns exist, the match should be played behind closed doors rather than targeting Jewish supporters.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) issued an equally scathing rebuke:
“Authorities are failing to ensure that Jews can participate safely and equally in public life. Instead of confronting the antisemitic hatred that made it unsafe for Israeli fans to attend, the response is to exclude the victims.”
International Condemnation
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced the move as “shameful,” demanding an immediate reversal. “Banning Israelis from attending a football match in Britain is not security — it’s surrender,” Sa’ar said.
Meanwhile, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign attempted to escalate tensions further, demanding the match be canceled entirely and repeating accusations of “genocide and apartheid” against Israel — rhetoric widely dismissed as part of a propaganda campaign coordinated by extremist networks.
A Dangerous Precedent
Analysts warn the ruling sets a chilling precedent in Western Europe, where antisemitic incidents have surged since October 7. Critics say the decision reflects a broader European failure to protect Jewish and Israeli communities in the face of violent intimidation by pro-Hamas factions.
By barring Israeli fans, Britain has effectively told terrorists that fear wins, and that the victims of antisemitic hate must stay home. As pro-Israel voices across Europe have emphasized — this is not “security policy”; this is moral capitulation.
