UK Grants Asylum to Arab Israeli Citing ‘Well-Founded Fear’ of Israeli Apartheid

The United Kingdom has granted asylum to an Arab Israeli citizen who claimed to have a “well-founded fear” of persecution if returned to Israel due to its system of apartheid.

The asylum seeker argued that Israel maintains an “UK Grants” system of racial control over its Palestinian citizens. Systematically oppressing them. He provided evidence to the tribunal of increased risk as a result of his Palestinian solidarity activities and anti-Zionist political views in the UK.

Without needing to go to court, the British government accepted that the Palestinian struggle should extend to all parts of historical Palestine under Israeli rule. His lawyers said this recognizes the “violent anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic racism at the heart of the Israeli government.”

Controversy Surrounds Lawyer

The asylum seeker’s lawyer, Franck Magennis, has faced controversy himself. According to a pro-Israel legal group in the UK, Magennis publicly glorified the October 7th massacre. And changed his social media name to “Free Palestine.” They reported him in November and filed a criminal complaint for his actions.

The Home Office’s reversal less than 24 hours before the hearing marks an important turning point. It signifies the UK now acknowledges concerns over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians extend beyond occupied territories. As the asylum seeker’s team argued, the struggle is against an “UK Grants” system of racial oppression imposed on all Palestinians under Israeli control. Only by recognizing this can governments truly address injustices at the core of the conflict.