British police bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending Aston Villa’s Europa League game, sparking international condemnation for surrendering to antisemitic pressure.
A decision by UK authorities to ban Israeli fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending the club’s Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6 has ignited fury in Britain, Israel, and across the Jewish world, with critics calling it “a surrender to antisemitic intimidation.”
The ban — approved by the West Midlands Police and the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) — classified the match as “high risk” and prohibited visiting supporters from entering the stadium. The move comes amid a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe since the Hamas atrocities of October 7, prompting accusations that British institutions are punishing Jews instead of protecting them.
Hostage Survivor: “No Jews Allowed”
Hostage survivor and British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari condemned the ban in an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter):
“This is like putting up a big sign saying ‘No Jews allowed.’ I’m shocked that my family and friends are banned from attending an Aston Villa game in the UK. Football is meant to unite people — this decision does the opposite.”
She added, “What happened to Britain, where blatant antisemitism has become the norm?”
Starmer: “The Wrong Decision”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the outrage, calling the move “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.”
Starmer’s statement underscores growing concern that the UK’s response to rising extremist threats has crossed into appeasement, granting violent agitators a veto over Jewish participation in public events.
Israeli Officials: ‘Reward to Radical Islam’
Israel’s Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, blasted the ruling as “a reward to radical Islam and terrorism against Jews and the free world.”
“The British government must fight antisemitism with determination and not surrender to it. This decision must be reversed, and the safety of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ensured,” Sofer said.
Police Justify the Ban
The West Midlands Police defended the prohibition, citing intelligence that labeled the fixture “high risk” based on previous violence, including last year’s clashes in Amsterdam that saw 62 arrests during a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. Critics note, however, that those incidents were isolated and manageable, arguing that banning all Israeli fans amounts to collective punishment.
A Dangerous Precedent
Jewish organizations in Britain have denounced the decision as a dangerous precedent that normalizes exclusion of Jews under the pretext of “safety.” The Campaign Against Antisemitism said the authorities had “failed to ensure Jews can participate safely and equally in public life.”
Analysts warn that the decision reflects a growing moral inversion in Europe — one where protecting Jewish lives is replaced by restricting Jewish presence. The ban, they argue, sends a chilling message: the more antisemitism rises, the less visible Jews become.
