Tommy Robinson, a figure often associated with far-right activism, recently made headlines as he addressed a rally in Tel Aviv. His visit to Israel has sparked widespread anger, with critics urging the minister responsible for extending the invitation to apologize, describing the move as ‘a slap in the face to British Jewry’.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, embarked on this international trip while embroiled in legal proceedings that could potentially result in a three-month jail sentence if he is convicted. He stands accused of failing to comply with counter-terrorism regulations at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone on July 28 of last year, specifically by refusing to provide the pin code for his mobile phone. At 42, Robinson has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

During a session at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that Robinson would be in Israel as a state guest until this coming Saturday. However, the decision to host him has faced significant backlash, putting diaspora affairs minister Amichai Chikli under considerable pressure to apologize for the invitation.

Minister Chikli has previously expressed pride in welcoming Robinson, referring to him as a ‘British patriot.’ The controversy surrounding Robinson has only intensified with his recent comments about potentially attending an Aston Villa match to cheer for the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv, stirring further debate.

But there has now been a backlash there against the decision to welcome him – with diaspora affairs minister Amichai Chikli under pressure to apologise for the invite.

Mr Chikli has previously said he was ‘proud to host British patriot’ Robinson, who has also stirred controversy in recent days by suggesting he would turn up at Aston Villa to support Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Robinson has now shared to his 1.7million followers on X footage of his full speech at an event in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv – adding the caption, ‘Making History’.

The invitation to Robinson was extended in the wake of the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on October 2.

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has addressed crowds at a rally in Tel Aviv in Israel

The anti-immigration campaigner, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, last week posed in a Maccabi Tel Aviv football shirt after their fans were banned from an upcoming game in England

Mr Chikli lauded Robinson as ‘courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam’ – but the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council responded by saying Robinson ‘represents the very worst of Britain’.

The Jewish leadership groups said Mr Chikli’s actions had hit the British community in its ‘darkest hour’.

Now a committee in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a resolution including condemnation of the welcome given to Robinson while also calling for Mr Chikli to say sorry.

He has been criticised for not consulting British Jewish groups nor Israel’s foreign ministry, in the motion drawn by the Knesset committee covering relations with the Jewish diaspora.

Gilad Kariv, who chairs the Knesset Committee for Aliyah, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, said: ‘Robinson’s visit was a slap in the face to British Jewry.’

The committee devoted a session on Tuesday to discussing the visit, with the Israeli foreign ministry’s deputy director general Yacov Livne saying that ‘to the best of my knowledge’ they had no contact from Mr Chikli about the invitation.

And Michael Wegier, executive director of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the committee via Zoom: ‘Had Chikli asked us whether it was befitting to invite the man who calls himself Tommy Robinson to the Knesset, we would have given him an unequivocal “no”‘.

He added that by ‘rolling out the red carpet’ for Robinson, ‘Israel has caused us, as well as itself, great embarrassment’.

Robinson has shared his speech at the Tel Aviv rally to his 1.7million followers on X

There has been criticism of Israel welcoming to Robinson to visit – with the country’s diaspora affairs minister Amichai Chikli (pictured) under pressure to apologise for the invitation

It comes as Robinson supported Maccabi Tel Aviv football supporters banned from attending an upcoming match against Aston Villa by wearing one of its shirts – a move that the Israeli club called the ‘final straw’ in its decision to not to sell tickets to its fans. 

The Israeli team feared that even if police in Birmingham performed a U-turn and allowed away fans into Villa Park for an upcoming Europa League fixture, Robinson’s supporters could emulate him and pose as Maccabi fans to stir up violence.

This caused the club to decide not to sell any tickets to their supporters for next month’s away tie with Aston Villa – after international controversy was sparked by police banning Israeli fans from the game while citing safety fears.

Robinson, who organised September’s Unite the Kingdom rally attended by thousands, joined the furore on social media last Friday by posting a photograph of himself wearing one of the club’s shirt and smiling.

He also wrote: ‘Who’s coming to support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park on November 6th?’

A source told Jewish News: ‘The risk posed by anti-Israel protesters was substantial, but we thought we had a plan to prevent them from prevailing. But that changed with the intervention of Tommy Robinson.

‘There was now also danger that our supporters could be falsely associated with his far-right activities, in front of anti-Israel protestors already out to get them.

‘With Robinson’s supporters potentially posing as Maccabi fans on the streets of Birmingham, we concluded that the risk had become unacceptable for innocent fans who just want to watch their team play.’

Having classified the match as a ‘high-risk fixture’, West Midlands Police expressed their concerns over fan violence and potential protests.

In Robinson’s ongoing case at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the Channel Tunnel charge, prosecution and defence cases finished on Tuesday last week but District Judge Sam Goozee is still to rule on whether the activist is guilty or not guilty.

As the judge tried to set a date to hand down his verdict, Alisdair Williamson, defending, said Robinson would be out of the country for some time – telling the court: ‘He is a guest of the Israeli government in Israel tomorrow.’

Judge Goozee told Robinson he would ‘accommodate’ his ‘current travel arrangements’ and adjourned his decision until November 4.

Posting on X after the hearing ended, Robinson said: ‘Now that my trial is behind me, I will have my verdict handed down on November 4th in London .

‘I’m leaving soon for a trip to Israel – a proud patriot coming tomorrow to stand with the Jewish state and deepen my understanding of the fight against jihad.’

He thanked tech tycoon Elon Musk for covering his legal costs, adding: ‘I go to Israel as a guest of government leaders – and as a proud friend of the Jewish people.’