Jewish backlash as Israeli club refuses Villa match tickets

'FINAL STRAW' AS JEWS FACE RISING HATE AND FEAR IN CITY

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

A pro=Palestinain march in Birmingham

THERE has been an angry reaction to news that Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv have announced they will decline tickets for the Birmingham clash with Villa, even if a ban on their fans is belatedly scrapped.

Club officials claimed they could not risk sending supporters and their families to the city because of 'hate' that had been fuelled by misinformation and 'falsehoods.

Jewish community leaders in the city said it was a disgraceful outcome, while the Government said it was 'deeply saddened' at the club's statement.

Talks are still ongoing to try to come up with a solution, as clamour grows for a full 'inquest' into what has gone wrong.

Some say the furore over the ban could prove the final straw for worried Jewish families, amid rising hate and fear.

Jewish Villa fan and Birmingham resident Elliot Ludvig said some among the tiny faith population in the city were 'looking for the exit'.