UK visa holders could be expelled from Britain for inciting anti-Semitism even if their conduct is not considered criminal, the Immigration minister suggested on Wednesday.
Robert Jenrick made the comments following a number of pro-Palestine protests in which a small minority of participants have been accused of shouting anti-Semitic slurs. It comes after he on Tuesday told the Commons that the process of revoking visas and expelling foreign nationals who spread “hate and division” had begun “in a small number of cases”.
The Tory MP said it would not extend to someone waving a Palestinian flag at demonstrations.
“We believe in freedom of speech,” he told Times Radio, adding: “I think there is conduct which is below the criminal standard but which is wrong, would be accepted as wrong by most reasonable people. If those people are not British citizens, they are just visitors to our country enjoying the privileges of living here… I’m afraid their visas will be revoked and they should leave.”
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner were set to meet Labour’s Muslim MPs today amid the backlash over his position on Israel and Gaza. The Labour leader sparked anger over his comments on LBC in which he suggested that Israel has the “right” to cut off power and water from Gaza. Several councillors, including at least two in London, have quit the party over the comments.
Sir Keir has subsequently sought to clarify his position, arguing: “I was saying that Israel has the right to self-defence. I was not saying that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines.
