Israel to host UK far-right figure Tommy Robinson
A crowd gathers at the “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London, with far-right activist Tommy Robinson poster visible
Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, Amichai Chikli, announced an invitation for British far-right figure Tommy Robinson to visit Israel in mid-October, following a deadly attack on a Manchester Synagogue, which killed two people, The National reported on October 3rd.
Chikli stated on social media that the visit would demonstrate Israel’s solidarity with the United Kingdom and its Jewish communities in the wake of the attack. He described Robinson as a steadfast ally of Israel who has consistently confronted hatred.
Robinson, legally known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has a long history of being a controversial activist in the UK. He has publicly opposed the Islamic faith and immigration and has organised mass demonstrations, including the September “Unite The Kingdom” march in London, which drew over 100,000 participants. During that event, police reported multiple injuries among law enforcement due to clashes with some demonstrators.
He is currently facing ongoing legal challenges. Last year, Robinson was sentenced to 18 months in prison for repeatedly making false accusations against a Syrian refugee. His sentence was later reduced, and he was released on May 27th, a decision that sparked debate among legal experts and the public. Additional cases, include the alleged harassment of journalists.
Israel’s invitation comes against a backdrop of UK political figures responding to the Manchester synagogue attack. Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski condemned the Manchester attack while cautioning that the tragedy should not be used to silence political dissent, particularly regarding Palestine. He stressed that supporting Jewish communities must not become a justification for curbing lawful protests or political speech.
The combination of Robinson’s controversial activism and legal entanglements continues to polarise public opinion. Supporters frame him as a defender of free speech and a consistent advocate for Israel, while critics argue that his rhetoric has incited tension and risked public safety.
Robinson’s scheduled visit, alongside his ongoing legal issues, could generate discussion around extremism, as well as the balance of free expression and the responsibilities of public figures in the UK, among observers.
The National, Maghrebi.org
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