A Birmingham Jewish leader has expressed frustration with West Midlands police following their explanation to MPs about the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match against Aston Villa. Ruth Jacobs, chair of the Birmingham and West Midlands Jewish Community, said the force 'did not do themselves any favours' during a Home Affairs Select Committee hearing on Tuesday.
The ban, imposed on 6 November for the Europa League match at Villa Park, has sparked calls for Chief Constable Craig Guildford's resignation from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. They claim police made the decision first and then sought evidence to justify it.
Jacobs noted that the police's evidence appeared 'one-sided' and inflated the threat from Maccabi fans. She said the community felt 'frustration, anger, disappointment, confusion' over the incident. While some members advocate for Guildford's resignation, many do not share that view.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has announced a formal review of the evidence provided to the committee. Jacobs acknowledged that the chief constable's assertion that the ban was not politically motivated, but suggested political motivations from councillors on the security advisory group who had expressed 'strong views on Israel'.
Despite the controversy, Jacobs expressed appreciation for the police's overall protection of the Jewish community since the 7 October attacks, calling the Maccabi incident a 'separate sort of incident' that does not detract from daily experiences with the force.
