MPs Demand Clarity on Police Intelligence Regarding Israeli Fans’ Ban

Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged West Midlands Police (WMP) to provide a comprehensive account of the allegedly exaggerated intelligence that influenced the decision to prohibit Israeli fans from attending the match against Aston Villa.

A report published in the Sunday Times asserted that WMP had overstated the potential risk posed by fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv ahead of the event on November 6, referencing incidents of violence during a previous match in the Netherlands.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp remarked that if WMP cannot justify its assessment, Chief Constable Craig Guildford should resign. Additionally, Home Office minister Sarah Jones has reached out to Guildford for clarification on the matter.

WMP has defended its evaluation, asserting that their plan was proportionate and aimed at ensuring public safety.

According to the Sunday Times, an intelligence report utilized by the police suggested that some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were “highly organized, skilled fighters with a serious desire to confront police and rival groups.” The report also claimed that 500 to 600 of these fans had targeted Muslim communities in Amsterdam, with accounts of fans being thrown into a river—allegations that were subsequently denied by Dutch authorities.

During a session in the Commons, Conservative MP Nick Timothy demanded the release of all intelligence documents related to the ban and requested evidence reviewed by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which oversees safety measures and implemented restrictions on away fans for the November 6 match.

Philp further emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “The Maccabi fans were not skilled and organized fighters; this narrative appears fabricated.”

The minister informed MPs that she had contacted WMP to investigate the claims thoroughly, and the Home Office has tasked His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services with a broader inquiry into the protocols for safety assessments.

She noted that WMP is currently reviewing the events leading up to the match and will publish a timeline detailing the decisions made and the reasoning behind the recommendations provided to SAG.

In response to the allegations from the Sunday Times, a WMP spokesperson stated: “Our evaluation was grounded primarily in information and intelligence, with a focus on public safety. We assessed the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having involved significant public disorder. We met with Dutch police on October 1, where insights related to the 2024 fixture were shared with us.”

Police ultimately determined that a segment of Maccabi fans represented “a credible threat to public safety.”

They concluded, “We are confident that our policing strategy and operational plan were effective, proportionate, and helped maintain the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming environment for all.”