False intelligence fueled antisemitic exclusion of Israelis as authorities bowed to pressure instead of confronting extremists.
The head of England’s second-largest police force has resigned after an official inquiry concluded that West Midlands Police relied on “greatly exaggerated” intelligence to bar supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League match in Birmingham.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford stepped down with immediate effect following intense political and public backlash. The findings prompted Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to publicly state she had lost confidence in his leadership, with Downing Street indicating that Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared that view.
The controversy stemmed from an October briefing in which police advised Birmingham’s safety officials that Israeli fans posed an unacceptable risk at the November fixture against Aston Villa. Subsequent scrutiny revealed that the intelligence underpinning the ban was unsound and overstated.
Investigators found the force leaned heavily on disputed claims from Dutch authorities alleging violence by Israeli fans at a 2024 match in Amsterdam. Dutch police later clarified that clashes involved both Israeli supporters and hostile pro-Palestinian Arab activists—contradicting the narrative used to justify the Birmingham ban.
Further claims suggested locals might arm themselves if Israeli fans attended, a revelation that intensified criticism the decision rewarded intimidation rather than confronting antisemitic threats. The timing—shortly after a deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue—deepened concerns that authorities chose appeasement over protecting Jewish communities.
Jewish organizations welcomed Guildford’s departure. Campaign Against Antisemitism and the Board of Deputies of British Jews said the resignation was necessary to restore trust and ensure Israeli and Jewish fans are treated equally under the law.
Critics argue the episode exposes a wider failure across parts of Europe: instead of isolating violent extremists often aligned with anti-Israel agitation, institutions marginalize Israelis themselves—legitimizing pressure tactics and eroding public confidence.
