Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s tweet has gone viral after Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were banned from attending their team’s trip to Aston Villa in the Europa League on November 6. Much has been said in recent months about Israel’s place in football, following widespread debate over the country’s actions in Gaza, which has since been determined as genocidal.
At present, Russia remains the only nation banned from the World Cup, with its domestic clubs also barred from UEFA competitions such as the Champions League. However, growing voices are calling for similar sanctions to be imposed on Israel. Spain has even stated that it would consider boycotting next summer’s tournament if Israel is not banned - potentially throwing the entire competition into chaos.
Despite mounting pressure, no action has been taken. This comes even after the latest update from Palestine’s Health Minister reported that more than 65,000 people have been killed since the first attack on October 7, 2023. In the meantime, Aston Villa have taken matters into their own hands by banning away supporters for the upcoming match - a move that has prompted a strong response from the Conservative leader.
Kemi Badenoch's Tweet Goes Viral After Aston Villa Decision
Villa Park
Villa Park
"This is a national disgrace," the leader of the conservative party began her tweet, making her thoughts on the situation loud and clear. She continued (see the full post below):
"How have things come to this? [Keir] Starmer pledged that Jews are welcome and safe in Britain. That he stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community and will use the full force of his government to prove it.
"Will he back those words with action and guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country? If not, it sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go."
The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) informed Aston Villa that no travelling supporters would be permitted to attend the match as away fans, as per the Mirror. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police cited previous incidents - including the scenes during last season’s match between Ajax and Maccabi supporters - as the reason they also support the decision.
While Badenoch criticised the UK Prime Minister for failing to intervene, Starmer also condemned the move, reiterating that the role of the police is to “ensure all football fans can enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation.” On X, he added (see below):
"This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."
It remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister will take any action, as his comments strongly suggest he opposes the current ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters. Both he and UEFA are among the few who have the authority to overturn the controversial decision.