A growing controversy is brewing within the Jewish community in the West Midlands, centered around the handling of a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans by the local police force. This issue has sparked frustration and anger, with many questioning the motives and actions of the authorities.
The West Midlands Police, led by Chief Constable Craig Guildford, is facing intense scrutiny and calls for resignation from MPs and Jewish groups alike. The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 6th has left many feeling confused and disappointed.
During a cross-party committee meeting on Tuesday, senior police officers defended their decision, claiming it was based solely on safety concerns and not influenced by politics. However, MPs challenged this narrative, questioning the evidence presented by the police, which seemed to exaggerate the potential threat posed by Maccabi fans.
Ruth Jacobs, the chair of the Birmingham and West Midlands Jewish Community, representing over 1,500 members, expressed her confusion and frustration over the lack of clarity surrounding the ban. She stated, "The police didn't do themselves any favors by failing to explain their position clearly. It left me feeling confused and many in our community are now questioning their motives."
The ban and subsequent revelations have caused a wave of emotions within the Jewish community, with some advocating for further action, including the resignation of the chief constable. Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition, and the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD) have joined the calls for Guildford's resignation, alleging that the police made the decision to ban fans first and then sought evidence to justify it.
The BoD's statement further highlighted the police's exclusion of a significant risk assessment to the Jewish community and their claim of consulting the local community, which, according to Jacobs, never happened.
Jacobs received a formal apology from West Midlands Police for not consulting the Jewish community before announcing the ban on October 16th. She revealed that the police shared intelligence on October 17th, indicating a possibility of disruption from Maccabi Ultra fans and members of Birmingham's wider community.
A police report dated September 5th, published earlier this week, contained claims that locals in Birmingham might arm themselves, adding fuel to the controversy.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has announced a formal review of the evidence provided by the police to the committee. Jacobs believes the chief constable's assertion that the ban was not politically motivated, but she suspects political motivations from councillors who attended the SAG and have expressed strong views on Israel in the past.
The Guardian has previously reported on redacted minutes from an SAG meeting on October 16th, where Jewish communities warned West Midlands Police that the ban on fans could be perceived as antisemitic.
Despite the growing calls for the chief's resignation, Jacobs acknowledged that many in the Jewish community still feel appreciative of the police's efforts to protect them since the attacks on October 7th. She emphasized that the Maccabi incident is a separate matter and should not detract from the positive experiences the community has had with the police on a day-to-day basis.
In response, John Cotton, the Labour leader of Birmingham City Council, stated that he had expressed his disagreement with the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to the chief constable in October. He added that under his leadership, the council and the SAG are committed to reviewing their processes and improving for the future.
The West Midlands Police has been contacted for further comment on this ongoing controversy.
