A Birmingham Jewish leader has criticised West Midlands police for their handling of the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a Europa League match against Aston Villa. Ruth Jacobs, chair of the Birmingham and West Midlands Jewish Community, said the force “did not do themselves any favours” when giving evidence to MPs about the ban.
The ban, imposed on 6 November at Villa Park, was made by a council-led security advisory group (SAG). West Midlands chief constable Craig Guildford faces calls to resign from MPs and Jewish groups, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, who claim officers made the decision first and then “searched for evidence to justify it”.
Jacobs said the police’s explanation at a Home Affairs Select Committee hearing on Tuesday left her “feeling confused”. She noted the ban has caused “a lot of frustration, anger, disappointment, confusion” among Jewish people in the West Midlands. Some are advocating for Guildford’s resignation, though many do not share this view.
A police report from September claimed locals in Birmingham might “arm” themselves, but Jacobs said the evidence seemed “one sided” and inflated the threat. She received a formal apology from police for not consulting the community before the ban was announced on 16 October. Jacobs said she believed the police chief’s assertion that the ban was not politically motivated, but suggested “political motivations” from councillors on the SAG who had expressed “strong views on Israel”.
Despite the controversy, Jacobs acknowledged many in the community are “very appreciative” of police efforts since the 7 October attacks. Labour leader of Birmingham city council, John Cotton, said he told the chief constable in October he “did not believe a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was the right outcome” and committed to reviewing SAG processes.
