Calls for pro-Palestine author Randa Abdel-Fattah to be banned from UK

Controversial pro-Palestine author Randa Abdel-Fattah could be blocked from entering the UK, as the government is pressured to deny her entry because of her anti-Israel advocacy.

The Macquarie University academic plans to tour the UK from October 3 to 9 to promote Discipline, her Miles Franklin short-listed novel about the challenges of Palestinian-Australians.

The Australian reports that conservative British frontbencher Chris Philp wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Sunday demanding Abdel-Fattah be denied a temporary visa for her book tour.

Philp wrote, “The timing makes this visit particularly concerning. Abdel-Fattah’s tour falls around the ­anniversary of the October 7 atrocities, at a time when British Jewish communities continue to face acute security concerns.

“Entry to this country is not an unconditional right for foreign nationals. Where an overseas visitor’s conduct, character or associations raise serious concerns about extremist rhetoric or activity, the government must be prepared to use its powers to block them.

“I therefore urge you to review Abdel-Fattah’s case as a matter of urgency and, if the relevant legal threshold is met, refuse or cancel any Electronic Travel Authorisation, entry clearance or other permission required for her to enter the United Kingdom.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Randa Abdel-Fattah (@randaafattah)

One of the main issues of contention is that Abdel-Fattah used an image of a Hamas paratrooper as her Facebook cover photo for at least five months after the attacks of October 7, 2023.

Philp argued that there are “serious questions about whether allowing Abdel-Fattah to enter Britain and undertake a high-profile speaking tour is compatible with the public good.”

The Home Office has responded by saying the matter is being considered.

“It is a longstanding rule that we never comment on individual cases or operational matters,” a Home Office spokesperson said. 

“We are committed to rooting out antisemitism and anyone spreading hatred will face the full force of the law.”

Jeremy Leibler of the Zionist Federation of Australia told The Australian:

“The Zionist Federation of Australia supports any country exercising its right to deny a visa to someone seeking to enter for the purpose of spreading hatred.

“Dr Abdel-Fattah’s record goes well beyond strident criticism of Israel. At a time when Britain is confronting an elevated terrorism threat, repeated attacks and threats against its Jewish community, and serious challenges to social cohesion, it is entitled to consider that record when deciding whether to grant someone the privilege of entry. 

"The United Kingdom does not need imported extremism given another platform to promote hatred against Jewish communities.”

Randa Abdel-Fattah faces cancellations

In early September, Abdel-Fattah’s book talks at the Cambridge Literary Festival were cancelled when the venue at Newnham College announced its unavailability for the events.

Abdel-Fattah hit back on social media: “I hope the festival will choose principle over posturing and follow through with my session at an alternative venue.

"There has never been a more important time for arts institutions to push back against these targeted campaigns that aim to silence our ­voices from public life.”

The author's name was in Australian headlines earlier this year when her removal from Adelaide Writers Week ended in the entire event being cancelled.

The AWW board announced the need to be “culturally sensitive’’ merely weeks after the Bondi Beach massacre. The public and authors decided to boycotted the festival; the board was eventually forced to apologise and invite Abdel-Fattah to next year’s festival.