Foreign nationals who praise Hamas could be deported: Robert Jenrick

Foreign students and academics who praise Hamas or commit anti-Semitic acts risk being expelled from Britain under Home Office plans in wake of Israel attacks

Foreign nationals who commit antisemitic acts or praise Hamas could be deported from Britain under plans being drawn up by the Home Office. 

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has asked officials in the department to look at how they could revoke visas on national security grounds for people who commit hate crimes or express support for the terror group. 

It follows numerous examples in recent days of students and academics expressing support for terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas, which is proscribed under British law. 

Gérald Darmanin, France‘s interior minister, has ordered all foreigners who commit anti-Semitic acts to be expelled from the country immediately, with three already thrown out. 

Current laws allow British officials to cancel visas for students, visitors and workers on national security grounds or if their presence is judged not to be conducive to the public good. 

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has asked officials in the department to look at how they could revoke visas on national security grounds for people who commit hate crimes or express support for the terror group

University College London has announced it is investigating an academic who said on Saturday that Palestinian ‘retaliation’ was ‘entirely justifiable’

University College London has announced it is investigating an academic who said on Saturday that Palestinian ‘retaliation’ was ‘entirely justifiable’. 

Meanwhile, a professor at another London university claimed the gunning down of 260 innocent Israelis at an outdoor rave was a ‘consequence’ for ‘partying on stolen land’. 

Another academic called on people to show solidarity with the ‘Palestinian struggle’.

READ MORE – Four Jewish schools in London CLOSE until Monday amid fears for pupils’ safety as Suella Braverman warns ‘medieval anti-Semitism’ by Hamas is no excuse to target Jews

Their comments have sparked outrage from experts, who accused the institutions employing them of ‘pandering to extremism’.

Professor Anthony Glees, a security and intelligence expert at the University of Buckingham, said: ‘It reeks of hypocrisy that universities will allow academics and students to back a terror organisation but yet they are so quick to no-platform academics.

‘Young impressionable minds are being manipulated under the guise of academic freedom. They [universities] are pandering to extremism.’

A spokesman for the Union of Jewish Students added: ‘It is unconscionable for anyone to seek to justify the murderous and barbaric actions of Hamas, a proscribed terrorist group.

‘There is never a legitimate reason to rape, murder and kidnap innocent civilians.’

It came after a students’ union officer gave a speech on Monday describing the murder of Israelis as ‘beautiful’, while another student said she was ‘full of pride’ at the actions of Hamas terrorists. 

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has written to vice-chancellors urging them to take action against threats to the welfare of Jewish students. 

In a letter co-signed by Higher Education Minister Robert Halfon, she said Jewish students must be free to ‘pursue their studies without fear of harassment or intimidation’.

Gérald Darmanin, France ‘s interior minister, has ordered all foreigners who commit anti-Semitic acts to be expelled from the country immediately, with three already thrown out

The letter reads: ‘We have seen evidence of a number of student societies that support Palestinians sending out inflammatory messages that show support for Hamas, which is, as you know, a proscribed terrorist organisation.

‘Not only are such statements of questionable legality, but they are also deeply troubling and hurtful to Jewish people, given that so many have friends and family based in Israel.

‘We know that you will share our unequivocal condemnation of these horrific attacks and are also mindful of their potential impact upon Jewish students, especially those who are just beginning their studies.

‘We ask that you act swiftly and decisively against any threats, be they implicit or explicit, to their safety and welfare.

‘In short, we are asking that you do whatever you can to actively provide Jewish students with the reassurance they need, now and in the weeks and months to come to go about their lives, and pursue their studies, without fear of harassment or intimidation.’

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