UEFA said Monday it made the decision in view of the security situation in the region, where Israel is fighting Hezbollah. UEFA still hasn't decided on the venues.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC plays its home tie against Domzale of Slovenia on Aug. 8, and Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv is at home to Lokomotiv Sofia of Bulgaria on Aug. 10.

Israel Football Association chairman Iche Menachem rejected the decision and asked UEFA officials to visit the country.

"We will respond severely and we have no intention to let this decision pass unchallenged," he said. "I would like UEFA (officials) to take this decision while they are here in Israel and not from their offices in Switzerland."

UEFA said it will decide on Aug. 7 whether Israeli club Beitar Jerusalem will host Romania's Dinamo Bucharest in a second-leg match on Aug. 24.

Meanwhile, UEFA will also decide Aug. 7 whether Maccabi Haifa will play in Israel against Liverpool in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Liverpool is at home for the first leg on Aug. 9, with the second leg set for Israel two weeks later.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said Friday it was "totally unacceptable" to travel to Israel.

Menachem said 1980s British pop group Depeche Mode was scheduled to perform Thursday in front of 55,000 fans in Israel.

"There is no reason why Liverpool FC shouldn't turn up here as well," he said.

Israel is also set to host Andorra in a 2008 European Championship qualifier on Sept. 6.

Last week, UEFA asked the Israel Football Association to submit contingency plans for hosting soccer matches and to submit written guarantees.

UEFA lifted a ban on home matches being played in Israel in 2004, but on condition that games only be played in the Tel Aviv area.