Britain's Starmer calls for Israeli soccer fans to be allowed at Aston Villa match

LONDON :British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said fans of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv should not be barred from a soccer match in Birmingham next month, as tensions over antisemitism and protests against Israel's war in Gaza dog his government.

Aston Villa said travelling Maccabi fans - who were involved in violence a year ago in Amsterdam - would be barred from the Europa League match on November 6 after West Midlands police expressed concerns about potential protests outside the stadium.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the announcement as "shameful".

Starmer posted on X that it was "the wrong decision".

"We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets," he wrote. "The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."

Culture minister Lisa Nandy was due to meet interior ministry officials to seek a "way through" the ban, an official told Sky News on Friday.

ISRAELI TEAMS A FOCUS FOR GAZA PROTESTS

Maccabi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli teams have become a focus for pro-Palestinian protesters as passions over the Gaza conflict have run high.

Last November, more than 60 people were arrested in Amsterdam after clashes following a match between Maccabi and Ajax.

Police said Maccabi fans were chased and beaten by anti-Israeli gangs on scooters. Five people were treated in hospital.

Video verified by Reuters showed Maccabi fans in the days before the game chanting anti-Arab slogans. Police said Maccabi supporters burned a Palestinian flag, pulled down another and vandalised a taxi. The mayor later said she would not host Maccabi again.

Fighting antisemitism is high on Starmer's agenda after two Jewish worshippers died on