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There was a furious reaction among local Jewish leaders to a decision by a police and council-led security group to ban Israeli fans from a football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv 'on safety grounds'.

Birmingham Jewish community leaders condemned the decision as 'seriously antisemitic', claiming it signified the city's authorities were not committed to protecting a maligned minority. They said they feared the decision illustrated the powerful influence of local pro-Palestine and anti-Israel politicians and activists.

Simone Schehtman, spokesperson for West Midlands Friends of Israel, said the decision had caused further 'deep fear' in an already anxious community.

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