Britain is now a country that cannot guarantee the safety of visiting Jews – what a disgrace.
There it is: an admission that Britain is no longer a safe place for Jews. A confession that the swirling animus for Jews and their homeland that has swept the UK these past two years has birthed a society where Jews cannot safely, freely go about their business. That’s what the sick ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the Europa clash with Aston Villa reveals: that Britain accepts it has become a hostile environment for Jews. And, worse, that it thinks the best way to deal with this ancient sickness blighting a modern society is by keeping certain Jews at bay. For their own safety, you understand.
The prohibition on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their team’s Europa League match with Aston Villa on 6 November is a truly shameful moment for this nation. The clash was due to take place at Villa Park in Birmingham. But the Safety Advisory Group – the body that hands out ‘safety certificates’ for football matches – has said no travelling fans should be permitted to attend the game. I’ll translate: no Jews from Israel. West Midlands Police have accepted the decision and said they would struggle to deal with ‘any potential protests’ at the match.