Quote Originally Posted by Omegstrat6 View Post
If it could be effectively policed then I totally agree with you Al. Politics-especially those around circumstances such as the situation in Gaza-will, rightly or wrongly, always infiltrate cultural events whether that's a football match or a pop concert but the majority of fans will doubtless simply want to watch their team. The issue here is that the risk assessments carried out by the police advise that in this particular instance that the Maccabi fans should not be allowed to attend.

I can understand how some might view banning the Israeli fans from going to the game on one hand but allowing pro-Palestinian protests on the other as being an example of so called "two tier" policing but am pretty sure these decisions are based on the independent risk assessments of each situation.

Yes, the pro-Palestinian protests are costly and disruptive but they are overwhelmingly peaceful with only a small minority actually becoming violent or causing damage. Whilst I agree with you that the number of such protests should now be limited, you also have to factor in the right to lawful protest of course.
Constructive post as always Omeg but for me the supporters should be allowed to attend with measures in place. I still say had these supporters been playing Spurs or in Manchester or Leeds with very large Jewish communities then there would be not the same arguments. That Palestinian Action Group were right to be branded terrorists and they all should have been jailed. The damage at Brize Norton was a national disgrace and cost millions. Anyone supporting this group regardless of what?s going on should be rightly arrested as they are.

As the Italian Leader has said - Starmer needs to get his own house in order as he?s an embarrassment. Although he knows himself this was the wrong decision to his credit for once.

The problem with this match now is if the decision is reversed as it should all the Palestinian/leftie loonies will turn up and there will be huge provocation. Perhaps the police should coach the supporters in and in this occasion for god sake - ban any counter protests with the warning of arrests and also ban any Palestinian or Israeli flags inside the stadium. Shouldn?t be difficult.