Emily Damari, a former Hamas hostage released in January, criticized being banned from watching her favorite team Maccabi Tel Aviv play Aston Villa in England.
British-Israeli woman Emily Damari, who was released from Hamas captivity in January, spoke out about being barred from an upcoming soccer game in England involving her favorite team, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The team’s English opponent, Aston Villa, has announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will not be allowed to attend the upcoming Europa League game in Birmingham, England, on Nov. 6 over safety concerns amid frequent pro-Palestinian protests.
So Damari is currently not able to watch.
„I was released from Hamas captivity in January and I am a die hard fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv. I am shocked to my core with this outrageous decision to ban me, my family and my friends from attending an Aston Villa game in the UK. Football is a way of bringing people together irrespective of their faith, colour or religion and this disgusting decision does the exact opposite. Shame on you. I hope you come to your senses and reconsider“, Damari wrote on X.
„I do wonder what exactly has become of British society, this is like putting a big sign on the outside of a stadium saying ‘No Jews allowed’ What has become of the UK where blatant antisemitism has become the norm? What a sad world we are living in.“
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the police recommendation to bar the visiting team’s fans from the Nov.
