A Statement from Birmingham Local Conservatives about the decision to ban the Jewish and non-Jewish fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending the match with Aston Villa:
As the Opposition Conservative Group, we are clear that this decision is wrong. The Labour Council has made much play about calling Birmingham a City of Sanctuary. The Council has bid for the 2028 European Championships and is bidding for the 2035 Women's World Cup.
Yet now they are saying that they cannot keep those fans nor the local residents safe. What message does that send to the world, what message does that send to the Jewish residents of Birmingham?
It was reported on the BBC that the Police have said they will not be able to safely police the expected protests. So the decision has been taken to ban the people being protested against. This sets a dangerous precedent going forward and makes all Brummies less safe in the future.
It is surely unbelievable that the Labour Council, Mayor, and Police and Crime Commissioner, nor the Government, were not told about this proposed decision in advance and yet have allowed it to happen. This is concerning.
In 1938, Aston Villa played in Germany and proudly refused to do a Nazi salute. As a city, we must find that same moral fibre now to stand up to efforts to make the city unsafe for Jewish people.
We call on the Council, Police, and Government to work together to ensure the city is provided with the required resources to protect Brummies and ensure that fans from both clubs can peacefully attend the match and the city and her residents are kept safe.
We will continue to raise this issue as the Opposition.
