LONDON — The Embassy of Israel in the United Kingdom issued a statement expressing deep concern over West Midlands Police handling of security assessments involving Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters. Newly disclosed documents reveal that the primary threat came from organized radical Islamist groups preparing to attack the Israeli fans, contrary to police portrayals.
The embassy said these assessments indicated that local extremists were arming themselves specifically to harm Maccabi supporters. Police instead framed the Israeli fans as the main risk, a characterization the embassy called “gross mischaracterisation” that served those inciting against the team.
Background on the Fan Ban
West Midlands Police advocated excluding Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the November 2025 Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham. The Safety Advisory Group classified the fixture as high risk based on police intelligence.
Documents later showed police had “high confidence intelligence” as early as September 5, 2025, about local community elements wanting to “arm” themselves against the Israeli fans. This information was not clearly shared in initial safety meetings.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara later told MPs that intelligence suggested “vigilante groups” posed risks to Maccabi supporters. Yet police publicly emphasized the fans’ history of hooliganism from prior matches, including clashes during Maccabi’s game against Ajax in Amsterdam.
Embassy’s Core Criticisms
The embassy statement highlighted how this framing diverted attention from credible warnings about extremists targeting Israelis and Jews. “The portrayal of Israeli fans as violent was a gross mischaracterisation,” the embassy said.
“These acts by law enforcement institutions undermine real security risks, and even encourage a climate in which hostility towards Israeli and Jewish communities can be normalised under the rule of law,” the embassy stated. “These matters require full accountability.”
The embassy noted that obscuring these assessments allowed misleading narratives to spread unchecked. This approach placed blame on the threatened community rather than addressing the actual perpetrators.
Parliamentary Scrutiny and Police Response
The UK Home Affairs Select Committee questioned West Midlands Police leadership twice in recent months. Chief Constable Craig Guildford faced accusations of misleading MPs about the Jewish community’s stance on the ban.
Guildford apologized for providing inaccurate details, stating there was “never any intention to mislead whatsoever.” He denied political interference in the decision.
Committee chair Dame Karen Bradley remarked that police appeared to be “scraping” for reasons to justify the ban. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Guildford’s resignation, accusing the force of “capitulating to Islamists” and presenting an “inversion of reality.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced it will review evidence from the committee and an upcoming HMICFRS report on the police intelligence assessment.
Disputed Intelligence from Amsterdam
Dutch police disputed some West Midlands claims about Maccabi fans’ behavior in Amsterdam. While acknowledging violent ultras among supporters, Amsterdam authorities said they did not target Muslim areas specifically.
West Midlands Police maintained confidence in their intelligence, prioritizing public safety. Maccabi Tel Aviv has faced UEFA sanctions for fan racism and violence, contributing to the risk assessment.
Broader Implications for Jewish Communities
British Jewish groups echoed the embassy’s concerns, calling for Guildford’s resignation. The Board of Deputies of British Jews described the police actions as placing Jews in the crosshairs of extremists.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the force for withholding crucial details about armed Islamist threats. He said the hearing revealed these risks as a key factor in the ban decision.
This incident follows patterns of institutional hesitation documented globally. CyberWell’s analysis after the Bondi Beach attack showed authorities sometimes redirect blame from antisemitic perpetrators.
For Jewish and Zionist readers, the embassy’s statement underscores vigilance needs against normalized hostility. Lord Mann, the UK government’s antisemitism adviser, previously noted inaccuracies in police evidence to Parliament.
West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council continue cooperating with reviews. The Police and Crime Commissioner plans to examine committee evidence further.
The embassy’s intervention amplifies calls for transparency in protecting Israeli and Jewish event attendees. Full accountability remains a priority amid ongoing investigations.
