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Hamas attack survivors 'discriminated against' at UK airport sparking probe

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A clip of the alleged incident where two Israeli nationals were discriminated against showed a Border Force officer speaking to people off-camera (Image: @danielberke1/Twitter)
A clip of the alleged incident where two Israeli nationals were discriminated against showed a Border Force officer speaking to people off-camera (Image: @danielberke1/Twitter)

The UK government has launched an investigation into claims survivors of the Hamas terror attack on October 7 were discriminated against by Border Force officers after they arrived at Manchester Airport, Home Secretary James Cleverly said.

Cleverly announced the probe after the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region (JRCGMR) called for an investigation to be carried out. UK Border Force officers are employed by the Home Office and not Manchester Airport.

The JRCGMR said it became aware that two Israeli nationals, who are also brothers, who survived the deadly October 7 terror attack at the Nova Music Festival which preceded the current war in Gaza, which borders Israel, were allegedly detained and interrogated by Border Force officers on Sunday.

The survivors arrived in England to raise awareness for a non-profit organisation established to help victims of the terror attack. According to the JRCGMR, the brothers - one of whom is a medic - stayed at the festival site to treat the wounded and "combat" Hamas terrorists.

A 20-second clip of the alleged incident, which has been widely shared on social media and has since been viewed more than 1 million times, showed a Border Force officer telling people off camera to "knock the attitude off" and "we're the bosses, not you."

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"Upon arrival, when Border Patrol noticed they were travelling with Israeli passports, they were asked why they had come to Manchester," the JRCGMR said in a letter posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.

"They responded that as survivors of the Nova Music Festival, they had been invited to share their experiences with the Jewish community in Manchester. They were informed that they would need to be questioned.

Hamas attack survivors 'discriminated against' at UK airport sparking probeA picture shows destruction from previous Israeli strikes in Gaza city. The October 7 terror attack led Israel to launch a military offensive in Gaza. (AFP via Getty Images)

"The only reason for their detention and interrogation was because they were Israeli. The men who were stopped do not appear to have been argumentative and the tone was unnecessary and demeaning. They were detained for two hours." The JRCGMR alleged the same Border Force officer said, "they have to make sure that you are not going to do what you are in Gaza over here."

Mr Cleverly said in a reply to the X post: "We are investigating this. We do not tolerate antisemitism or any form of discrimination. This incident will be handled in line with our disciplinary procedures."

"We are aware of the complaint made against Border Force Staff at Manchester Airport and are investigating these claims," a Home Office spokesperson told The Mirror in an update shared today. "While the facts and circumstances are being established, it must be reiterated that we do not tolerate antisemitism, in any form, anywhere."

The JRCGMR said in its original tweet: "Thank you to the team at Manchester Airport, as we are aware they have immediately acknowledged and recognised the severity of the allegations contained within our correspondence. This issue rests with the Home Secretary and we call upon @JamesCleverly and @ukhomeoffice to ensure this matter is dealt with as a matter of urgency."

The Mirror has contacted JRCGMR representative Marc Levy for comment.

Anders Anglesey

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