BBC Newsnight fury erupts as pro-Gaza MP who backed Maccabi Tel Aviv ban 'given platform' to defend decision: 'Why the license fee should GO!'

SAG informed the Birmingham-based club that no fans of the Israeli team will be at Villa Park for the game, scheduled for November 6, due to “previous incidents including violent clashes and hate crime offences”.

However, the decision has been criticised by several high-profile names, including the Prime Minister, who claimed the decision was "wrong".

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch branded it a "national disgrace", while Liberal Democrats' Ed Davey called it a "serious mistake by WM Police".

Prime Minister Keir Starmer added that the role of the police is to "ensure all football fans enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation".

Keen to hear Mr Khan's reaction on Thursday night, Ms Razzall put to the MP, who was being interviewed on his own: "The Prime Minister said the decision’s wrong. He said, 'We won’t tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets.' You welcomed the decision. Who’s right?"

Mr Khan insisted: "Well, he’s clearly wrong. Nobody should tolerate antisemitism. That’s a position which is consistent across the whole House of Commons, for example. Every parliamentarian will stick with that statement. We all condemn what happened in Manchester. That was clearly antisemitic.

"But we cannot conflate antisemitism when we look at what some of these fans did in Amsterdam in 2024 — the vile chants of racism and hatred, the chants that 'there are no schools left in Gaza because there are no children left in Gaza.'

"We’re talking about violent fans, and I think the Prime Minister should stay out of operational matters. That’s not a matter for him sitting in Number 10 Downing Street. It’s a matter for the local police teams here in Birmingham to make an assessment.

"And of course, we must ensure that it’s not just residents that are protected and are safe, but fans and players, and including the staff at the football ground."

Ms Razzall then weighed in: "But Mr Khan, even if that’s true of some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, which is obviously abhorrent, this isn’t every Maccabi Tel Aviv fan, and this is punishing everyone.

"I’m interested in your petition — you say that there are rare instances where the political dynamics surrounding such spectacles cannot be ignored. What did you mean by political?"

"So, look, there’s a moral argument here as well," Mr Khan replied. "We’ve got to maintain consistency. So, for example, if we’ve banned Russian teams from participating in sport because of their attack on Ukraine, we can’t be selective when it comes to Maccabi Tel Aviv or any Israeli football team.

"Don’t forget that the United Nations Commission has found and has confirmed a genocide. And so there’s a moral argument that we must not shy away from-"

Ms Razzall cut in: "So this isn’t for you about banning people who you say have been violent in Amsterdam, for example. This is for you, banning people because they come from a country that is at war in Gaza?"

Mr Khan replied: "Well, there are two distinct issues. One is the safety aspect. And I made my position very clear — that if the police in West Midlands find it challenging because they simply do not have the resources to ensure safety, then that’s one aspect.

"The second aspect is one of, as I say, a moral argument — that Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club should not even be playing within this international competition-" Mr Khan said before being cut off by Ms Razzall: "But the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans don’t speak for the government of Israel, do they? So isn’t it antisemitic to suggest they do?"

"Absolutely not," Mr Khan answered. "And therein lies the conflation. We jump to the issue of antisemitism. I mean, for example, West Midlands Police are being labelled as antisemitic when you look at social media. They’re doomed if they do and doomed if they don’t."

Ms Razzall questioned: "So you’re saying the Prime Minister’s got it wrong when he says, 'We won’t tolerate antisemitism on our streets.' You’re saying he’s conflating two issues?"

Mr Khan replied: "Absolutely. I mean, if you look at the video footage that came out of Amsterdam — I mean, Amsterdam Council has decided to ban the sports club from participating in the future. We’re talking about some very, very vile fans in that club.

"And of course, look, I for one will say that there are bound to be a significant number of fans that just want to enjoy football. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to decipher which are the fans that are not going to cause problems vis-à-vis those that will."

The discussion with Mr Khan, despite Ms Razzall's challenges, didn't go down well with viewers at home, many of whom felt that Mr Khan's position on the issue meant he wouldn't be able to give a reasoned view.

Others, however, were left angry that the BBC would give a "platform" to the independent MP, with several accusing him of "antisemitism".

"Why did you platform him? Disgraceful," one X user fumed in response to the interview, before a second echoed: "Why didn’t you challenge these lies @BBCNews."

"Of course, the BBC give this vile scumbag a platform," a third added before a fourth weighed in: "And this is why the licence fee should go."

A fifth urged the BBC to "stop platforming" Mr Khan before a sixth weighed in: "Unadulterated Antisemitism allowed to be expressed on the BBC. Sadly, I’m not surprised." (sic)

However, some X users did wade into the argument on social media to side with the independent MP.