Cleverly: Inviting Robinson to Israel a foolish move

Sir James Cleverly has criticised the decision to invite far-right activist Tommy Robinson to Israel, calling it a “foolish move.”

The ex-foreign secretary also argued that Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is adopting a “pro-Israeli posture” as a pretext to promote anti-Muslim sentiment.

Downing Street echoed the criticism, noting that communal organisations the Board of Deputies and JLC “have been crystal clear that that individual does not speak for them and he clearly does not speak for the decent, tolerant, patriotic majority of this country.”

Israel’s diaspora and combating antisemitism minister, Amichai Chikli, recently described Robinson as a “courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam” and stated he was “proud to host” him in Israel later this month. Robinson confirmed plans to visit Jerusalem, the Knesset, the Nova Festival site, Yad Vashem, and the Jabotinsky Institute following his October 13th trial.

He also expressed hope to visit Gaza.

Speaking at the Politico Pub event during the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Cleverly noted, “There’s a broad coalition within the Israeli government. I have no doubt that a number of other people in the Israeli government are as uncomfortable with that as I am.”

He stressed the invitation was from an individual minister, not the Israeli government as a whole, adding, “Tommy Robinson and others of his ilk are now wrapping themselves up in a pro-Jewish, pro-Israeli posture because basically, it’s an opportunity to do what they really want to do, which is to be anti-Muslim.

“Tommy Robinson is no friend of the Jewish community, whether in the UK or anywhere else.”

Robinson’s visit has been condemned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, who called him “a thug who represents the very worst of Britain.”

Their joint statement said his presence “undermines those genuinely working to tackle Islamist extremism and foster community cohesion,” adding, “Minister Chikli has proven himself to be a diaspora minister in name only. In our darkest hour, he has ignored the views of the vast majority of British Jews, who utterly and consistently reject Robinson and everything he stands for.”