Sir Keir Starmer is under scrutiny following his welcoming of Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah to the UK. Concerns arose after historical social media messages from the activist were uncovered, where he appeared to call for the killing of Zionists. Abdel Fattah, a dual British national, left Egypt this week after his release from prison, where he was serving a sentence for sharing a Facebook post about torture.
The prime minister expressed his delight over Abdel Fattah's arrival in the UK, where he reunited with family. However, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick criticized this response, describing it as a significant lapse in judgment. Jenrick pointed to Abdel Fattah's divisive statements, highlighting that the prime minister’s remarks were akin to a "personal, public endorsement" of the campaigner, despite his controversial language.
Jenrick emphasized that while arbitrary imprisonment and suppression of peaceful dissent are unacceptable, the authority of the prime minister's office should not support someone whose past statements delve into racism and violence. The response from other cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Justice Secretary David Lammy, mirrored this support, contributing to the critique from various groups.
The Jewish Leadership Council, which represents Jewish organizations across the UK, described the government's response as an "effusive welcome," sparking further debate. Reports suggest that the activist's inflammatory messages were not known to the prime minister until recently, and they have been condemned as abhorrent by government representatives.