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Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans barred from Europa League game in UK 

Fans of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv have been barred from attending a Europa League game against Aston Villa in the United Kingdom next month because of security concerns, the English club said.

Birmingham City’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) – the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches at Villa Park, where the game is to be played – informed Aston Villa that Maccabi Tel Aviv away fans will not be permitted to attend.

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Aston Villa confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the “club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group”.

“Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night,” the club said.

West Midlands Police said they had classified the match as high risk based on “current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam”.

“Based on our professional judgement, we believe this measure will help mitigate risks to public safety,” the police force said.

Last year’s clashes in Amsterdam between pro-Palestinian supporters and Israeli fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv led to dozens of arrests and five people imprisoned.

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While accusations of anti-Semitic attacks quickly circulated following the clashes in Amsterdam on November 6 and 7, reports soon emerged of Israeli fans provoking the violence and of rampaging through the Dutch capital, assaulting residents, destroying symbols of Palestinian solidarity and chanting racist and genocidal slogans against Palestinians and Arabs.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and the London-based Jewish Leadership Council have all criticised the ban.

Starmer said in a post on social media that the ban was “the wrong decision”.

“The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation,” he said.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Saar described the ban as a “shameful decision” and called on authorities in the UK to “reverse this coward decision”.

The Jewish Leadership Council said it was “perverse that away fans should be banned from a football match because West Midlands Police can’t guarantee their safety”.

“Aston Villa should face the consequences of this decision and the match should be played behind closed doors,” the organisation added in a statement.

The move to ban away fans from the fixture in Birmingham comes amid growing calls to ban Israeli football teams from international competition over Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“We collected and verified extensive evidence of this systematic instrumentalisation of football culture in genocide,” Ashish Prashar – a campaign director at Game Over Israel, which has been pushing to ban Israel from FIFA and UEFA, told Al Jazeera. “This report integrates findings — from stadium racism, to assaults in Europe, to soldiers turning genocide into football propaganda — and demonstrates why Israel’s place in global sport is indefensible.”

More than 30 legal experts wrote earlier this month to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, saying that banning Israel from competitions was “imperative”, citing a report by United Nations investigators that confirmed Israel is carrying out a genocide against Palestinians.

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The signatories highlighted the damage that Israel is inflicting on the sport and athletes in Gaza.

“These acts have decimated an entire generation of athletes, eroding the fabric of Palestinian sport,” the experts said.

“The failure of the Israel Football Association (IFA) to challenge these violations implicates it in this system of oppression, rendering its participation in UEFA competitions untenable,” they said.

“UEFA must not be complicit in sports-washing such flagrant breaches of international law, including but not limited to the act of genocide,” they added.

 

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Doris Maria Lindqvist Dies at 100

With aching hearts, the family of Ms. Doris Maria Lindqvist announces her peaceful passing on Nov. 26, 2025, at the blessed age of 100. A gentle soul, a guiding light, and the cherished matriarch of her family, “Mama” touched countless lives with her warmth, kindness, and quiet strength. She was a beloved presence in the community and a pillar of love, wisdom, and knowledge.

Ms. Lindqvist leaves behind her devoted children: Beryl G. Ottley, Ingrid A. Lewis, Dominic R. Lindqvist, his wife, Phyllis D. Lindqvist, who will forever treasure the love and guidance she bestowed upon them.

She is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren: Denise M. Lewis, Horace “Ace” M. Lewis, Jr., his wife, Barbara Lewis, Gary Lewis, Brent Lewis (Dominique Lewis), Rudnell R. O’Neal, Jr., his wife, Sharonda O’Neal, Roderick O’Neal, Sr., his wife, Yedris O’Neal, William Ottley, Jr., Janee M. Lindqvist, Nyja C. Lindqvist-Beckford, her husband, Paul D. Beckford, Dominique Lindqvist-Lobdell, her husband, Dean Lobdell, Evan A. R. Lindqvist. 

Their lives remain forever shaped by her love, a constant reminder of the warmth and wisdom she shared so generously.

Her legacy continues through her many great-grandchildren, whose names are carried with pride and affection. They include Brenique Maria Lewis, her wife, Janae Lewis, Brent Marc Lewis, Jr., Bria Marie Lewis, Kadeem Shakeem Lewis, Danika Athelia Lewis, Dominic Antonio Lewis, and his wife, Destiny Lewis, Danielle Andrea Lewis, Enrique Santiago Estrada-Lewis, Chad Horace Lewis, Laquida Renee Gumbs, the late LaVele Kidane Gumbs, Jordan Anthony Cooper, Justin Dominic Cooper, Amara Elise Lewis-Nixon, and her husband, Kristopher Nixon, Bryce LaVele Lewis, Noah Ottley, Nevaeh Ottley, King Ottley, Gracie Ottley, Tobias Ottley, Chad O’Neal, Chayse O’Neal, Roderick O’Neal, Jr., Jahleel O’Neal, Khalid E. Peirce, Lyric B. Citizen, Joel X. Lobdell, Gavin M. Anderson-Brown, Erin N. Anderson-Brown. They stand united in gratitude for the life she lived and the many blessings she bestowed upon them.

She is also blessed with great-great-grandchildren: Nyori Jordan Imelda Lewis, Lenox Jahmai Horace Freeman, Jack Dawson Lewis, Messiah Jelani Freeman, Brooke Marie Lewis, Myair Saint Squiabro Lewis, Zayden Javier Estrada-Lewis, Luca James Estrada-Lewis, Andrés Santiago Estrada-Lewis, Joaquin Kidane Orr, Kairo Emmanuel Nixon, Kaleb O’Neal, Karmelo O’Neal who represent the newest branches of her beautiful family tree.

Ms. Lindqvist is further remembered by a wide circle of close nieces, nephews and cousins, family and friends, including the McIntosh, Lindqvist, Lewis, O’Neal, Clenance, King, Francois, Forde, Cabey, Barber/Carneiro, Nicholson/James, Harris Alejandro, Sibilly, Brooks, Lettsome, Isaac, deCastro, and Monsanto, Sabino, Ramsey, as well as countless others too numerous to mention, who held her dear.

Ms. Lindqvist will forever be remembered for the warmth she shared so freely, the wisdom she offered with grace, and the love that echoed through every life she touched. Her gentle and generous spirit will remain a sweet and everlasting presence in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

May her soul rest in eternal and perfect peace.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home.

First Viewing at Turnbull’s Funeral Home, Sunday, Dec. 14, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Second Viewing will be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Monday, Dec. 15, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Funeral Service will be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Monday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m.

Cemetery: Western Cemetery No. 1

Colors: Wear lively colors in celebration of her beautiful life.

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Virgin Islands News

Esther Robles Leslie Dies at 86

With deep sadness, the family of Esther Robles Leslie announces her passing on Nov. 29, 2025.

Esther, affectionately known as “Miss Esther,” was born on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on Nov. 18, 1939, to the late Alanzo and Idalia Robles. 

Esther attended elementary through high school in St. Thomas, and married Vivian C. Leslie on July 6, 1960, a journey that would last for 65 years as they set about raising four children: Alton, Warren, Linda, and Segrid. 

Esther was a lifelong, loyal, devoted, and faithful member of The Cathedral Church of All Saints. She attended the 6:30 a.m. mass every single Sunday, up until her health started to decline. Vivian, her husband, would joke, “If Miss Esther don’t come to church on a Sunday, then church can’t keep.” All Saints meant everything to her. She grew up in the church, she was married in the church, and all of her children were christened and confirmed in the church. She celebrated anniversaries, and she mourned family deaths in the church. And in keeping with her role of service, she served on the Hospitality Committee for many years.

Esther was quiet, gentle, compassionate, peaceful, spiritual, and loyal to her family and friends. She had a great love of music and a beautiful singing voice. Her record collection was diverse and included releases by Shirley Caesar, Andre Crouch, The Righteous Brothers, Otis Redding, and Jon Lucien. 

Esther was an excellent cook known for her delicious potato stuffing. Her one indulgence was her “stories,” specifically All My Children.

Esther was passionate about working with and teaching children and started her career with the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Head Start Program in 1968. She spent the last 21 years with the Department as a Paraprofessional Teacher’s Aide at Mandahl Peace Corps Elementary School (now the Yvonne E. Milliner Bowsky Elementary School). Her area of specialization was Special Education. 

God put Esther on Earth to be an advocate and champion for children with disabilities and special needs. When others shunned these little ones, she embraced them. When parents couldn’t afford to provide snacks or clothes, Esther dipped into her own pocketbook to ensure they didn’t go without. When children without physical or intellectual challenges ridiculed or bullied her students, she stood up for them. Esther also became proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with the hearing impaired. 

She loved her students, encouraged their potential, and treated them as though they were her own children. Years after she retired, Miss Esther’s students still recognized and embraced her while she was out and about.

Esther’s long goodbye began in 2020 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Although her journey was filled with challenges and pain, there were also many quiet moments of reflection, love, and caring. 

During her illness, Esther taught our family lessons about what is really important in life—to love God and all He has created. She helped us discover inner strengths we did not know we possessed.

Although many memories faded as Esther’s illness progressed, the words to the Lord’s Prayer and her faith in God endured. She passed as she lived: quietly, having fulfilled her purpose. 

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Alanzo and Idalia Robles, her brother Herbert Robles Sr, and her son, Alton Leslie. 

She is survived by her husband, Vivian C. Leslie, her sister, Lydia Robles Douglas, her son, Warren Leslie, and her daughters, Linda Leslie McGhee and Segrid Leslie.  

Grandchildren: Andre Henley, Shaniqua Henley-Vanterpool, Shamari Henley, Sr, Jamie McGhee, Jaria McGhee 

Great-grandchildren: Kamari Underwood, Aaysia Henley, Ayinde Vanterpool, Akushi Vanterpool, Jubilee Vanterpool, Kairo Henley, Shamari Henley Jr, Jazariah Henley 

Great-great-great-grandchildren: Andreas Underwood, Giavanna Underwood 

Brothers-in-law: LeRoy Douglas, Albion “Bobby” Hodge, Melvin Hodge, Irad Donovan 

Sisters-in-law: Bernice Robles, Vera Dupuis, Daisy Hodge, Yvonne Hodge

Son-in-law: James McGhee Jr, MD 

Grand Son-in-law: Alton Vanterpool 

Nieces: Lorie Douglas, Alecia Robles, Carmen Robles-Inman (Taiwo), Clevia “Reds” Robles, Diana Robles (deceased), Lydia Robles, Gloria Robles, Doris Robles, Ina Parker, Michelle Stevens 

Nephews: Leon Douglas, Herbert Robles Jr, Donald Robles, Bernard Robles, Patrick Donovan 

Great Nieces: Amber Robles Gordon (and family), Juanita Francis (and family), Kreisha Charles (and family), Chequida Robles, Cherida Robles 

Great Nephews: Dufferin Culpepper II (and family), Alanzo Robles Gordon (and family), Jaime Francis Jr (and family), Kashawn Robles 

Special Cousins: June VanHolten, Grace Christiansen 

Godchildren: Sonia Hodge, Roland Gordon, Jr, Robert Gregory 

Special Extended Family: Ronnie Bonelli, Calvin Bryan (and family), Loriel Henley, Lyra Hodge, Lorna Callwood, Bernadette Fleming, Veronica James, Doradean Williams, Vilma Benn, Juliet Berg, Janet Hazelwood, The Robles Family, The Christiansen Family (St. Croix), the late Allen Hodge Family, The Mahogany Estate Family, The Yvonne Rhymer Family, The Cathedral Church of All Saints Family, Former Staff of Leslie’s Deli Restaurant, Former Staff and Students of Mandahl Peace Corps Elementary School, Jacklin Rogers, Verna Callwood and the Staff at Wesley Methodist Soup Kitchen Ministry, and The Cathedral Church of All Saints Steward Helping Committee, Sheila Freeman, Grace Gregory and Family.

Many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the first viewing on Friday, Dec. 12 at Celestial Chapel of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. The second viewing will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, at All Saints Cathedral, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. with service to follow at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Western Cemetery #1. 

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Centers of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. For online condolences or to share a special memory, visit www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com. 

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