Leaders of Britain’s Jewish community have slammed an Israeli minister for inviting ‘thug’ Tommy Robinson to visit the country.
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister responsible for diaspora relations and tackling antisemitism, expressed pride in hosting British nationalist Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, later this month.
He lauded the far-right activist as a ‘courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam’.
But the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council said Robinson ‘represents the very worst of Britain’.
The invitation to Robinson was extended in the wake of the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.
The Jewish leadership groups said Mr Chikli’s actions had hit the British community in its ‘darkest hour’.
They said: ‘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.
Leaders of Britain’s Jewish community have slammed an Israeli minister for inviting ‘thug’ Tommy Robinson (pictured) to visit the country
‘Minister Chikli has proven himself to be a diaspora minister in name only.
‘In our most challenging time, he has disregarded the perspectives of the majority of British Jews, who thoroughly and consistently reject Robinson and all that he represents.’
Former Tory cabinet minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi condemned the ‘reckless and highly hazardous decision’ to invite ‘an individual with numerous convictions for violence and fraud.’
Lady Warsi, who made history as the first Muslim woman to serve in the cabinet, remarked: ‘While all communities in the UK are coming together to support our grieving Jewish community, the Israeli government is creating divisions, endorsing and promoting those who propagate hate and making our country less safe.’
Amichai Chikli, responding to the Board of Deputies’ comments, said: ‘Unfortunately, the Board of Deputies has primarily morphed into a political entity, openly aligned with left-leaning, woke, pro-Palestinian groups.
‘Just hours after Jews were killed in Manchester, instead of demanding safety measures or holding the government accountable, the Board hurried to secure a photo opportunity with the Prime Minister.’
‘Once proudly Zionist, now politically adrift, If only they showed the same energy attacking Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian terror state as they do attacking me and Tommy Robinson’.
Robinson confirmed that he would accept the Israeli minister’s invitation and that the Israeli government is paying for his flights and hotel.
Robinson, who has previously been jailed for contempt of court, said Thursday’s assault in Manchester ‘has strengthened my conviction that the United Kingdom and Israel are fighting the same battle – against the scourge of Islamic jihad’.
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister for the diaspora and combating antisemitism, (pictured) said he was ‘proud to host British patriot’ Robinson
Mr Chikli wrote on X: 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.
‘Israel will always stand with the Jewish community and our allies worldwide. Together with friends like Tommy Robinson, we will build stronger bridges of solidarity, fight terror, and defend Western civilization and our shared values.’
In a post on X responding to the Israeli politician, Robinson said he would travel to Israel ‘immediately following my October 13 trial’.
He said he would visit: Jerusalem, the West Bank, the site of the Nova Festival and other October 7 locations, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre Yad Vashem, the Jabotinsky Institute and Christian holy sites.
He said: ‘I will visit the Knesset and meet with leaders of the Israeli government, including minister Amichai Chikli, Israel’s diaspora minister who invited me, as well as many others.’
‘I also hope to get into Gaza,’ he added.
Robinson, last month, organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people.
More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally.
Robinson, who founded the English Defence League, was previously sentenced for contempt of court after repeating false allegations about a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him for libel.
He also served time in prison in 2019 for putting grooming trials in Huddersfield at risk by breaking reporting restrictions that were in place to ensure the proceedings were fair.
Mr Chikli has been a vocal critic of the Labour Government’s response to antisemitism, as well as the UK’s recent recognition – alongside other western allies – of Palestinian statehood.
Other senior Israeli politicians also suggested Sir Keir Starmer’s administration bore responsibility for the deadly attack in Manchester.
Foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar accused the Government of failing to curb ‘rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement in Britain’ and demanded a ‘change of course’ on tackling it.
