Simone Schehtman, chair of West Midlands Friends of Israel and a prominent voice within Birmingham’s Jewish community, has delivered an emotional warning about the impact of the recent fan ban on the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Villa Europa League fixture, calling it “a dark day” for the city.
Schehtman has been vocal in condemning the ban, which prevented all Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the game, labeling the move as a clear act of antisemitism. She expressed deep sadness and frustration, describing the decision as a “hammerblow for inclusivity” and raising fears about the safety and belonging of Jewish people in Birmingham and across the UK.
“This ban makes Jewish people question whether they can safely stay in this city or indeed this country,” Schehtman told Birmingham Live. “It has caused deep uncertainty; we feel targeted, and of course we do.”
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The fan ban, implemented by authorities citing concerns over hooliganism and hate chants from some supporters, has been criticized by Schehtman for unfairly penalizing an entire fan base based on the actions of a few. She emphasized that while genuine hooligans should be barred, collective punishment specifically targeting Israeli fans is unprecedented and discriminatory.
Schehtman further warned that the ban has emboldened pro-Palestine activists who support a broader agenda against Israel. “This has been a deliberate antisemitic attack on our communities with repercussions felt worldwide,” she stated.
Reflecting on the local consequences, Schehtman lamented the significant police resources and public energy diverted towards managing the match and protests. She argued that these efforts detract from pressing local issues such as housing shortages, youth unemployment, mental health crises, and rising poverty.
“This focus on one football match, while such critical problems persist in Birmingham, is infuriating,” she said. She fears the ban sets a dangerous precedent, warning that it could normalize exclusionary measures against other minority groups, including LGBTQ+ and ethnic communities.
Drawing a chilling historical parallel, Schehtman recalled how Jews were banned from sporting events during Nazi Germany, underscoring the disturbing implications of the current decision. “For our community, this is reminiscent of the past—being barred from a public sporting event based on faith,” she remarked.
Schehtman also questioned whether this approach might escalate into broader cultural boycotts against Israel, beyond the realm of sports, affecting musicians, performers, and technological partnerships. She highlighted Israel’s global contributions in technology and medicine, stressing that football should not become a battleground for political conflicts.
“This was a football match, not a war,” she concluded. “Fans who wanted to support their team should have been allowed to attend. This must never happen again, and we need to learn vital lessons from this.”