LinkerbaanMay 9, 2024

UK Home Office revokes visa of Palestinian student after protest speech

https://lemmy.world/post/15216250

UK Home Office revokes visa of Palestinian student after protest speech - Lemmy.World

The UK government has revoked the student visa of a Palestinian student who lost relatives in Gaza after she spoke at a demonstration at the University of Manchester. Dana Abuqamar, a law student who heads the Friends of Palestine Society at the University of Manchester, said the UK government revoked her visa on “national security” grounds, after claiming she was a risk to public safety. “The claim they are making is baseless and violates my rights as a resident here in the UK. My legal team has lodged a human rights appeal against this decision to revoke my student visa in my last and final year as a law student,” Abuqamar said, speaking to Al Jazeera English, confirming that her visa had been revoked. Last year, Abuqamar revealed that she had lost at least 15 relatives in Gaza after the Israeli army bombed a three-storey building in the besieged enclave.

Show threadReallyKindaMay 9, 2024

But in a response to her visa application, the Home Office told Ashkar that it had been denied on the grounds that granting it would "harm the public interest", without giving any further reasons or explanation.

Show threadsaltescMay 9, 2024

Last year, Abuqamar faced criticism for comments she made at a pro-Palestine rally where she said, "We are full of pride, we are really, full of joy at what has happened”, following the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

Show threadjuicyMay 10, 2024
So she expressed an ugly emotion. Is the UK going after people who celebrate Israel’s war crimes against the Palestinians? A US politician called for Gaza to be nuked. It’s reprehensible, but free speech gives him the right to say stupid and even evil things with out fear of government persecution. There is a mutual hatred between many Israelis and Palestinians, but the hammer only comes down when Palestinians give voice to that hatred. Israelis and their partisans say whatever they want without consequence. And good. Free speech. But get rid of the double standard.
Show threadInformalTrifle

Free speech is not without limits in the U.K.

I think someone supporting terrorist atrocities is lucky to get away with just losing a visa.

May 10, 2024 at 3:31amWeb
Show threadacargitzMay 10, 2024
Don’t be silly, nobody is taking away UK government officials’ visas.
Show threadInformalTrifleMay 10, 2024

I see what you did there, good one. But I meant these ones, these acts she’s celebrating: thisishamas.com

And they are rightfully designated a terrorist organisation in the U.K.

This is Hamas | This Is Hamas

This is Hamas As Is - Hamas=ISIS Stop Terror Stop Hamas

This Is Hamas
Show threadLinkerbaanMay 10, 2024

Except if you advocate for literal Genocide that’s fine of course.

Only the people resisting cannot be advocated for.

Show threadInformalTrifleMay 10, 2024
There’s no genocide