Support for Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Power of Football
Football’s true beauty lies in its ability to unite people. Discriminating against Israeli fans undermines this spirit of togetherness.
Maccabi Tel Aviv as a Symbol
I have supported Maccabi Tel Aviv since childhood. For many Israelis like me, the club symbolizes perseverance, community, and a sense of belonging beyond just the sport.
Personal Struggles and Club Solidarity
Over the last two years, while my family fought for the return of my brother-in-law, Omri Miran, held hostage in Gaza for 738 days by Hamas since his abduction on October 7, 2023, Maccabi Tel Aviv stood firmly by us. The club offered support and comfort to our family and others during the hardest moments.
Controversy Over Birmingham's Ban
The recent decision by Birmingham authorities to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa feels profoundly unfair. Initially presented as a safety measure, it has turned into discrimination.
- Approximately 500 tickets requested by British Jews supporting Maccabi Tel Aviv were denied.
- The implication is that Israeli identity and Jewish affiliation now justify exclusion from European sport.
Questioning the Justification
The reasons given for the ban do not hold up under scrutiny. The main cited incident involved clashes in Amsterdam after a match against Ajax, where a minority behaved poorly while most fans suffered as victims, not offenders.
The message is that Israeli identity, and now even Jewish affiliation, have become grounds for exclusion from European sport.
Discrimination against fans based on identity damages both the sport and the broader community it seeks to unite.
Author’s summary: Discriminating against Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters risks tainting football’s power to unite and unfairly targets Israeli and Jewish identities in European sports.