The West Midlands Police announced on Friday that it had called for a review of the decision not to allow supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv to attend November’s Europa League fixture against Birmingham-based Premier League side Aston Villa, a statement by the police and crime commissioner, Simon Foster, said.
Foster said he had ordered a special meeting of the city’s Safety Advisory Group and West Midlands Police to determine if the decision “is appropriate, necessary, justified, reasonable and a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim” and to consider potential alternatives.
This comes after widespread criticism from Israeli and British actors. Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari called it "shocking." "I was released from Hamas captivity in January, and I am a die-hard fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv," her statement started.
"I am shocked to my core with this outrageous decision to ban me, my family, and my friends from attending an Aston Villa game in the UK. Football is a way of bringing people together irrespective of their faith, colour or religion, and this disgusting decision does the exact opposite," she said.
"Shame on you. I hope you come to your senses and reconsider. I do wonder what exactly has become of UK society. This is like putting a big sign on the outside of a stadium saying: 'No Jews allowed,'" she added. "What has become of the UK, where blatant antisemitism has become the norm? What a sad world we are living in."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said Israeli fans should not be barred from the soccer match in Birmingham next month, as tensions over antisemitism and protests against Israel's war in Gaza dog his government.
Starmer posted 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 all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."
Aston Villa previously said traveling Maccabi fans - who were involved in violence a year ago in Amsterdam - would be barred from the Europa League match on November 6 after West Midlands police expressed concerns about potential protests outside the stadium.
Israeli teams are a focus for Gaza protests, authorities say
Maccabi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli teams have become a focus for pro-Palestinian protesters as passions over the Gaza conflict have run high.
Last November, more than 60 people were arrested in Amsterdam after clashes following a match between Maccabi and Ajax. Police said Maccabi fans were chased and beaten by anti-Israeli gangs on scooters. Five people were treated in the hospital.
Fighting antisemitism is high on Starmer's agenda after two Jewish worshippers died on October 2 in an attack on a synagogue in Manchester. On Thursday, he pledged extra funding for the protection of Jewish communities, who had accused his Labour government of neglecting them.
Police fear repetition of Amsterdam violence
Later on Friday, a court was due to rule on an appeal by his interior ministry seeking to reinforce a decision to ban the campaign group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws, a ban that has, in turn, angered free-speech campaigners.
West Midlands Police said they had recommended the ban on Maccabi fans to ensure public safety, adding in a statement:
"This decision is based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offenses that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam."
The ban has drawn condemnation from lawmakers across Britain.
However, the local independent member of parliament, Ayoub Khan, said Israeli teams should be banned from European competition.
"From the moment that the match was announced, it was clear that there were latent safety risks that even our capable security and police authorities would not be able to fully manage," he said in a statement.
Last Saturday, police in Norway used tear gas on pro-Palestinian demonstrators after the Israeli national team played in Oslo. On Tuesday in Udine, Italy, mostly peaceful protests at the team's second match ended in clashes involving police.