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Question
The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League game against Aston Villa was wrong, embarrassing, and sends the wrong signal about modern Britain's ability to welcome international visitors. The shadow Secretary of State asks what additional resources will be provided and who will pay for them if the decision is reversed. He also questions whether all the right people were consulted before making this controversial decision.
Minister reply
The Government will find the necessary resources once West Midlands police comes forward with a revised risk assessment, working as one government to uphold the principle that nobody should be excluded from public life based on their identity. The Minister has been speaking with Jewish community organisations and understands their concerns about safety and security.
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Question
The MP asks for an assurance that the Government can guarantee the security of a group of Jewish fans from Israel, walking down British streets. He highlights the impact on Jewish communities following recent events in Manchester.
Minister reply
The Minister assures the House that the Government will always defend and uphold the right of people to participate fully in public life, including attending football matches. Many Maccabi Tel Aviv fans are actually British citizens living here in the UK, a point made by Jewish community organisations.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that Birmingham overwhelmingly remains a diverse and welcoming place, and will she join me in commending the calm leadership of council leader John Cotton?
Minister reply
The Communities Secretary has worked closely with Birmingham city council, commending the council for constructive work with us, the police, and other local agencies. We agree it is unprecedented to ban entire groups of away supporters from a game, but we are skilled at policing football matches even where there is considerable risk involved.
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Question
What specific actions is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that Jewish people feel safe and welcome to participate in cultural life in the UK?
Minister reply
Earlier this year, I hosted a roundtable with Lord Mann and the Board of Deputies to discuss the role of Jewish people in public life, particularly in relation to arts, film, TV, broadcasting, and media. We are working on a strategy to make sure that Jewish people are included and their contribution is recognised and celebrated.
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Question
Has the Secretary of State seen the safety advice? If so, does she disagree with it on what grounds?
Minister reply
We take safety concerns very seriously and would never treat them as secondary. We are not trying to overturn police advice but working with West Midlands Police to ensure this game can go ahead safely for both sets of fans, highlighting the risk posed to Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters because they are Israeli and Jewish.
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Question
Can I echo what has been said about the police making the decision in good faith, but it is the wrong decision?
Minister reply
I agree with the comments and take this moment to pay tribute to faith organisations working to prevent significant disorder caused by people seeking to travel to Birmingham to create strife. Their message is that such troublemakers are not welcome.
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Question
What difference between Maccabi fans and Young Boys' fans if their away team is not banned, highlighting the cumulative effect on Jewish people in this country?
Minister reply
I think my hon. Friend has put it better than I could.
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Question
How many millions of British taxpayers’ money her Government are offering to overturn the respected expert judgment of the West Midlands police and the safety group?
Minister reply
I am appalled by specific incidents and chants mentioned, none of us should seek to condone them. It is disingenuous to say you respect cohesion and inclusion when seeking to divide and exclude.
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Question
The MP expressed sadness for Birmingham and the west midlands over the decision. He raised concerns about heightened risk levels leading to a flashpoint, and worries that some might take advantage of the situation.
Minister reply
I acknowledge the hon. Gentleman's points and express my own sadness. I reiterate our commitment that resources will not stand in the way of ensuring safety.
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Question
The MP questioned whether Islamophobic behaviour is highly likely to occur if Maccabi fans travel to Birmingham and raised concerns about the safety of Muslim citizens.
Minister reply
Everybody in this House is entitled to strong opinions, but not a selective version of facts. The hon. Gentleman's points are noted regarding Maccabi Tel Aviv fan behaviour, but it is also necessary to consider attacks on these fans and conduct risk assessments thoroughly.
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Question
The MP expressed frustration with the current decision's negative impact on Birmingham, west midlands, and the country. She asked for assurance that reviews under way will be concluded before kick-off.
Minister reply
I can hear and understand the right hon. Lady’s frustration. We are working as fast as we can to give support to the police and ensure clarity for both clubs.
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Question
The MP paid tribute to safety advisory group volunteers and asked for assurance that the Government prioritises football fans' safety rather than politics around this matter.
Minister reply
I am really happy to give my hon. Friend that assurance, thanking him for his work over many years on issues including Hillsborough.
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Question
The MP welcomed the Secretary of State's remarks and asked about an overarching strategy to make Jewish communities feel more welcome.
Minister reply
I am working with Lord Mann and individual organisations to ensure that incidents affecting Jewish individuals are handled appropriately.
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Question
The MP thanked the Secretary of State for her statement and agreed that the threat of the mob led to this decision, emphasising that we must never allow the rule of the mob.
Minister reply
Completely.
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Question
The MP commended the Secretary of State for her statement and disagreed with criticism. He noted a game played in Istanbul without trouble, questioning partial evidence selection.
Minister reply
He raises an important question regarding proportionality and whether decisions would play out differently if there was no risk to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.
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Question
The MP questioned the political interference in allowing police resources, suggesting that bans with other teams happened across Europe without such issues.
Minister reply
The difference is that this decision was tipped by risk to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans because of their identity and nationality.
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Question
The MP criticised a political campaign's influence on the police decision, questioning whether the Government has powers under the Police Act 1996 to direct or dismiss decisions.
Minister reply
The principle of operational independence is set out in law. We are working with and supporting the police, considering various factors including transportation and ticket sales.
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Question
The MP highlighted the irony of footballers demonstrating against racism while dealing with antisemitism concerns in this context. He suggested ensuring safe transport for fans.
Minister reply
I fundamentally agree with the hon. Member on the importance of making people feel safe, whoever they are.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State pull every lever she can to ensure that Jewish hatred is not borne out by people holding Jews responsible for actions of a Government?
Minister reply
I am happy to join the right hon. Member in calling that out.
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Question
Did the authorities in Birmingham take into account the behaviour of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on other occasions when deciding it was unsafe for the match to be played in Birmingham?
Minister reply
On the right hon. Member’s last statement—I agree with him—but I disagree with his premise that this is about banning Jewish people from going to the match or going to Birmingham.
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Question
Will the Government take into account that there are specific threats against Jewish establishments in that part of the country, and should those establishments be extra careful on that day?
Minister reply
The right hon. Member will be aware that there have been specific threats against Jewish people and Jewish organisations. We and the police are taking that extremely seriously.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that if the chief constable cannot police a football match, they should no longer be in office?
Minister reply
I do not think it helpful to question people’s motives. In the work we have done with West Midlands police, I have no hesitation in saying that they have made an assessment of the risks as is their responsibility.
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Question
What assessment has the Secretary of State made of playing the match behind closed doors at a neutral venue?
Minister reply
We are not considering making changes to the principle that has stood for a long time about the operational independence of the police, but as I have set out to other Members, we are clear that there is a role for Government here and we are determined to play our part in helping to resolve this.
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Question
Is there anything this Labour Government will not do to defend the genocidal apartheid state of Israel?
Minister reply
I like the hon. Lady, but I have to say that she is doing the people of Birmingham no favours with that sort of rhetoric. The conflation that she makes between all Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters and the actions of the Israeli Government is precisely what the right hon. Member for Wetherby and Easingwold was saying about blaming British citizens who happen to support Maccabi Tel Aviv for actions that are taking place in the middle east.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State review the rules around sporting and entertainment events to make sure that this Government, and any future Government, are not rendered impotent in the face of the mob?
Minister reply
We are not considering making changes to the principle that has stood for a long time about the operational independence of the police, but as I have set out to other Members, we are clear that there is a role for Government here and we are determined to play our part in helping to resolve this.
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Question
What steps will be taken to ensure the deployment of police from other areas?
Minister reply
We as a Government are not prepared to accept that people cannot attend a football match in Birmingham because of who they are. There are many, many Aston Villa fans who are looking forward to this fixture. It is also our strong view that the majority of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should be allowed to attend, as they have done safely at many other matches.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that the Prime Minister should respect the independence of the police and the safety advisory group given his previous failures to intervene in critical situations such as aid workers being killed, MPs denied access to Israel, and British citizens detained by the IDF?
Minister reply
Had West Midlands Police made a different decision, I suspect the hon. Member would have questioned it. The Government has taken many actions regarding Israeli Government’s actions in Gaza, but they are often ignored for political purposes.
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Question
Was it antisemitic for the Israeli police to cancel a football derby after rioting occurred at a live event? Does conflating Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters with violent hooligans amount to antisemitism?
Minister reply
The decision was not based on banning football hooligans but because of risks posed by supporting an Israeli team. It is important to consider whether equating Jewish supporters with violent hooligans can be seen as antisemitic.