Clashes Anticipated as Aston Villa Hosts Maccabi Tel Aviv Amid Protests
BIRMINGHAM, England – A notable police presence-over 700 officers-was deployed in Birmingham on Thursday ahead of the Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The heightened security measures come as two demonstrations are planned near the stadium, one by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and another in support of the Israeli club.
Police are preparing for potential unrest, utilizing uniformed officers, mounted units, canine teams, drones, and road checks, according to West Midlands Police official Tom Joyce. The stated objective is to “allow people to enjoy the match whilst continuing to keep everyone in Birmingham safe and facilitating peaceful protests.”
The match is taking place against a backdrop of increased tensions. Social media posts show signs appearing around the stadium with messages like “Zionists are not welcome” and displays of Palestinian flags. The situation has also drawn attention from far-right activist Tommy robinson, leading to a rise in Islamophobic commentary online.
Birmingham, a city with a significant Muslim population-nearly 30% according to a 2021 census-has experienced numerous pro-Palestinian rallies since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas in Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
Initially, Aston Villa announced, on the advice of British police, that supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv would be barred from attending the match – a rare decision in the UK. This sparked criticism from within the British government, with assurances that efforts would be made to allow Israeli fans to attend. However, Maccabi Tel Aviv ultimately decided against sending supporters, citing concerns for their “security.” The match is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.local time (9 p.m. in Paris).
