Lawyers Warn of ‘Wide Ramifications’ of UK Asylum for Palestinian Citizen of Israel
Legal experts highlighted that asylum seekers’ ‘anti-Zionist political’ views and ‘Palestinian solidarity activism” could lead to an ‘enhanced risk of persecution.’
A Palestinian citizen of Israel is set to receive asylum from the Home Office due to his “well-founded fear of persecution if returned to Israel,” a decision that could have broad implications, as per lawyers.
Representing “Hasan,” Mr. Magennis believed that this asylum decision for a Palestinian from Israel could have significant ramifications in the UK and beyond.
Hasan
The conflict between Israel’s IDF forces and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in Gaza has been ongoing since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip.
In documents submitted to the immigration tribunal, “Hasan,” whose true identity remains undisclosed, stated that the Israeli government upholds an “apartheid system of racial domination over its Palestinian citizens, subjecting them to systematic oppression.”
He additionally presented evidence to the tribunal indicating an increased risk of persecution due to his Palestinian solidarity work in the UK and his anti-Zionist political views.
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Lawyers pointed out that granting asylum by the Home Office “could have far-reaching consequences for other Palestinians seeking asylum in the UK and elsewhere.”
They emphasized that this case is grounded in the 1951 Refugee Convention, binding in all states, and the European Convention on Human Rights, which applies to 46 member states.
‘Can Point to This Concession’
“In essence, Palestinians making asylum claims in other global jurisdictions can reference this UK Home Office concession to bolster their own protection claims against the Israeli government,” they added.
The Home Office did not respond to inquiries from The Epoch Times.
Anti-Zionist Views
In a recent development, a court ruling deemed that anti-Zionist beliefs are now considered a protected belief under the Equality Act, triggering concerns among anti-Semitism activists.
A tribunal found that Professor David Miller was unfairly dismissed from Bristol University in 2021 due to his remarks on Israel.
Following the proceedings, Mr. Miller successfully claimed discrimination “based on his philosophical belief that Zionism is inherently racist, imperialist, and colonial, a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010,” announced his legal representatives, Rahman Lowe.
This landmark ruling establishes that anti-Zionist beliefs are safeguarded in the workplace,” the firm affirmed.
According to the Jewish Virtual Library, Zionism fundamentally refers to “the national movement for the return of the Jewish people to their homeland and the restoration of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel.”
Responding to Mr. Miller’s case, the Campaign Against Antisemitism acknowledged that “these matters have stirred deep concern among many, with diverse opinions existing within our community.”
The asylum claim registration process records “beliefs,” as per the Home Office.
