Israeli Minister Draws Backlash After Inviting Tommy Robinson To Israel

British far-right activist Tommy Robinson An Israeli minister has been heavily criticised after inviting far-right figure Tommy Robinson to Israel in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack.Minister of diaspora and combating antisemitism Amichai Chikli revealed on Friday that he had invited the “British patriot” – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – to visit Israel in mid-October.Writing on X, Chikli said: “Tommy is a courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam.“At a time when Jews across Europe face rising antisemitism, it is vital to strengthen bonds with allies who refuse to be silent.“He has proven himself a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people, unafraid to speak the truth and confront hate.”The international Jewish community continues to mourn after two people died at a Manchester terror attack on Thursday on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.Robinson, founder of the English Defence League, led more than 110,000 people through London in a Unite the Kingdom rally last month.More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were reported to Tell Mama charity the week afterwards.He has also been previously jailed for contempt of court, after repeating false allegations about a Syrian refugee who sued him for libel.A group of Jewish leaders – including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council – slammed Chikli’s invitation by sharing the same post condemning the move.It read: “Tommy Robinson is a thug who represents the very worst of Britain.“His presence undermines those genuinely working to tackle Islamist extremism and foster community cohesion.“Minister Chikli has proven himself to be a Diaspora Minister in name only.“In his darkest hour, he has ignored the views of the vast majority of British Jews, who utterly and consistently reject Robinson and everything he stands for.”News outlets including Jewish News, the Jewish Chronicle, Jewish Telegraph, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, Ynet Global, JTA and Jewish News Syndicate also shared the post criticising the invitation to Robinson.“Tommy Robinson is a thug who represents the very worst of Britain. His presence undermines those genuinely working to tackle Islamist extremism and foster community cohesion. Minister Chikli has proven himself to be a Diaspora Minister in name only. In our darkest hour, he has… https://t.co/BswfB4mXZ6pic.twitter.com/LZ1rkPFzOe— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) October 4, 2025Former Conservative cabinet minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Sunder Katwala – director of the think tank British Future – called out the visit, too.Warsi, who was the first Muslim woman to serve in the cabinet, said it was “irresponsible and deeply dangerous behaviour” to invite a “man with multiple convictions for violence and fraud”.She said: “At a time all communities in the UK are uniting to support our Jewish community as they grieve, the state of Israel is sowing division in our country, supporting and promoting those that platform hate and making our country unsafe.”Katwala wrote: “Tommy Robinson is a voice of prejudice and division. There should be cross-party and multi-faith pressure on the Israeli government to withdraw its invitation.“Most British Jewish voices have consistently been clear that they reject Robinson’s bogus claim to be an ally of their community. It is important that we hear that again now.”Despite the backlash, Robinson has confirmed he intends to accept the invite, and plans to visit Jerusalem and the West Bank as well as other sites linked the October 7 attack, after his upcoming trial. Robinson also claimed that he wanted to get into Gaza, a warzone where no international journalists have been allowed in and there is an ongoing aid blockade.Related...These Are All The Countries That Have Spoken Out About Israel's Involvement At Eurovision 2026'Stop Arming Israel!' Minister Heckled As He Tries To Promote UK's Recognition Of PalestineSynagogue Attack: Israel Says Keir Starmer Must Do More To Tackle 'Toxic Wave Of Anti-Semitism'

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