Claims of anti-semitic treatment by UK border force prompt official probe

The Home Office has launched an investigation into allegations of anti-Semitic treatment by UK Border Force staff at Manchester Airport. Two Israeli brothers, survivors of the tragic Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival in Israel, were reportedly detained and subjected to aggressive questioning upon their arrival in the UK. The incident, captured on video and shared widely, shows a Border Force officer speaking in harsh terms to the men, who had come to raise awareness for a charity supporting terror attack survivors.

The brothers, who experienced the harrowing Hamas invasion of the music festival on October 7 last year, resulting in over 1,000 civilian casualties, were said to be detained for two hours. During this time, they faced what has been described as demeaning treatment solely because of their Israeli nationality. The footage of the encounter prompted Home Secretary James Cleverley to affirm on social media that antisemitism or any discrimination is intolerable, assuring that the incident is being addressed.

Marc Levy, Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region, criticized the Border Force officer’s conduct as unnecessary and demeaning. He highlighted the officer’s comments, suggesting a bias and misunderstanding of the brothers’ backgrounds and the reasons behind their visit to the UK. According to Levy, the brothers had heroically remained at the festival site during the attack to assist others, despite their own trauma.

The Home Office’s response emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards antisemitism and discrimination, underlining the seriousness with which the UK government views such allegations. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of Israeli nationals at borders and the importance of training for border staff in handling sensitive situations without prejudice.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident at Manchester Airport serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating antisemitism and ensuring that survivors of terror attacks are met with empathy and respect in all interactions, especially when seeking to raise awareness and support for others who have suffered similar fates.