By now, we're all aware of Israel's war crimes in Gaza and the Western endorsement of them. The hypocrisy, double standards, and deliberate ignorance surrounding the situation are impossible to ignore.
Governments that proudly proclaim their commitment to human rights and international law have turned a blind eye to the systematic destruction of Gaza, the killing of civilians, and the displacement of entire communities. Take the United Kingdom, for example: it readily condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, imposes sanctions, and even bans Russian athletes from international competitions like the Olympics.
Yet, at the same time, it continues to arm Israel, offer political cover for its actions, and justify what many have rightly called the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. And when somebody dares to question it, they're met with resentment from senior politicians, media backlash, and a growing social divide across the country.
Which is exactly what happened in Birmingham, after it was decided on the 16th October by the West Midlands Police and Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group (SAG) that there would be no away fans at a match between Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa due to safety concerns.
There is one major thing wrong with that: Tel Aviv shouldn't be playing in the first place. If we can ban Russian teams due to the war in Ukraine, we should also ban Israeli teams for the ongoing war in Palestine, but apparently, UEFA doesn't understand that.
Image Credit: Michael Muthee on Unsplash
Clearly, Tel Aviv is no stranger to controversy, being an Israeli team still playing despite the country's heinous acts. We saw violence erupt after they played in Amsterdam last year- an incident that shocked many and proved the social discontent surrounding Tel Aviv matches. Several were injured, and four people were sentenced to prison. The violence made it past the streets and onto social media, flooding platforms with hate.
Additionally, the British media's framing of the situation was of no help; the ban was portrayed as anti-semitic and opposed by many. Sir Kier Starmer and many other senior ministers attempted to reverse the ban, but even if they did, Tel Aviv had made the decision to pull out of selling away tickets to fans due to the ban. Over 700 officers were present, and Section 60, which allows officers to stop and search anyone at any time, was in effect. Police were deployed at midday, and local schools closed early to allow pupils to get home safely.
Protesters were everywhere, and so were police. At least eleven people were arrested for a multitude of reasons. One man was arrested for refusing to remove his face covering despite Section 60 being in action, and another was arrested for breach of the peace, while five were arrested for racially aggravated abuse, and another for attempting to sell drugs.
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What's interesting is that the day before the match, there were also pro-Palestinian protests with flags being put up on lamp posts that were removed overnight, whilst the Union Jacks and St George's flags were left up. Yet another example of the flagrant piousness present in society. Why should we appease Israel by taking down the flags of a conflict-ridden state instead of showing solidarity? Why should we prioritise Tel Aviv's interests over those of the British public?
The controversial match has prompted debates over whether football should be political or not, which is absurd because literally everything is. From what hairstyles are in trend to the songs we listen to, they all have some connection. And if you're going to Birmingham, one of the most leftist and politically outspoken cities in the UK, as an Israeli football team, you should anticipate some backlash.
As I mentioned earlier, the team isn't new to contention; their presence usually sparks heated debates. They should have refused to play altogether if they opposed the political consequences of representing Israel, especially at a time like this.
Image Credit: The White House on Wikimedia Commons
The fixture simply serves as a reminder of the power the elite have and the propaganda that frames it so cleverly. The Western governments support Israel for a few reasons: trade links, a fear of Islam, and imperialistic views carried forward from the British Empire.
They show no concern for morals or murder; their only real concern is themselves and those in their social circles, which is why it is so important for us to take a stand. The protesters had every right to show up and oppose the game because of the politics behind it, because silence in the face of injustice only strengthens the very systems of power that rely on our complacency.
