Anti-Israel activists call for Maccabi youth tournament to be cancelled

The furore appears to have been triggered in March this year when a Facebook page created by students at the university in question shared an anonymous email claiming the university would host an “Israeli sponsored” event.

Athletes would “take over” accommodation on campus, it claimed, while, “the Israeli flag and the Star of David will be flown and will be displayed everywhere”.

The emailer had been told, they added, “there will be extra security patrols and bag searches and anyone supporting Palestine will be arrested”.

A petition calling for the games to be cancelled has since been signed by over 1,000 people.

It incorrectly claims the games are “an Israeli international multi-sport event” backed by the Israeli government and open only to Israeli athletes.

The games, of which The JC is media partner, is funded entirely by tournament participants and European donors, not the Israeli state.

The petition says: “We have received information via multiple sources regarding this event; during these games the University plans to display the Israeli flag all across campus.

“Our primary concern lies with the acceptance of Israeli funding for the event, as it is problematic for a university to receive money from a state that is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, with the figures surpassing 30,000 Palestinians killed.”

Organisers insist they have no plans to fly the Israeli flag on campus.

The petition adds: “We believe that hosting the Maccabi Games would not only create an intimidating and hostile environment for students on campus, but also denying a platform for Palestinian expression while entertaining Israeli-sponsored events only serves to exacerbate tensions and perpetuate injustice.”

A letter signed by dozens of alumni of the university has meanwhile called for the Games to be cancelled because of its ties to “Zionist Organisations”.

Maccabi GB, it states, and Maccabi World Union, to which it is affiliated, “are members of groups that support Israel in its campaign of genocide and it’s Zionist Idealogy [sic].”

Earlier this month, the chapter of the University and Colleges Union (UCU), which represents over 120,000 academics and support staff, at the university due to hold the Maccabi Games were due to vote on a motion calling on their vice-chancellor to cancel the event.

The vote was postponed only after campaign groups UK Lawyers for Israel and Academics Friends of Israel wrote to the UCU branch to say the demand would breach the Equality Act.

One local pro-Palestine campaign group, urging the UCU to back the boycott of the Games, wrote on Facebook that it would be a disgrace for them to take place at a time “when Israel is committing genocidal attacks”.

The Maccabi Games will bring additional visible security to the university to secure the event, organisers told the JC.

They said:  “In steadfast partnership with the Community Security Trust, [local police and the university], Maccabi GB is diligently working to ensure a safe and positive environment for the Games.

“The Organisation’s commitment to providing a secure setting underscores its unwavering dedication to the well-being of the young athletes and all involved.”

A spokesperson for the university due to host the games said: “[We] have top-quality sporting facilities used by many different professional athletes, sports teams and sporting events from across the globe, alongside our own community.

“We believe sport should be accessible to all and we support all sport that is played in a safe, inclusive and peaceful environment, fostering mutual respect and sportsmanship.

“We believe the European Maccabi Youth Games will adhere to our beliefs and values.”

The student group which called for the Maccabi Games to be cancelled have been contacted for comment.