By Russell Langer

The horrific display of hatred witnessed in Amsterdam last November was no ordinary football hooliganism.

Jews and Israelis were hunted down and attacked in the streets simply for being Jews and Israelis. Masked men kicked and punched Israelis as they lay unconscious and defenceless.

“I’m not Jewish,” pleaded one fan, before he was hit in the face. Another offered his attackers money in a desperate attempt to escape further abuse.

This was no ordinary football hooliganism; it was antisemitic mob violence in a European capital.

It’s no wonder that West Midlands Police want to prevent similar scenes from happening in Birmingham when Maccabi Tel Aviv visit Aston Villa on Thursday. But it is perverse that away fans should be banned from a football match because West Midlands Police can't guarantee their safety.

Instead of reassuring the public that Britain will protect people regardless of their race, nationality or religion, the........

© LBC