Fury as two brothers who survived Hamas music festival massacre are ‘detained for HOURS by aggressive anti-Semitic staff at Manchester Airport – just for being Israeli’: Home Office begins probe into ‘demeaning’ treatment of pair
UK Border Force has been slammed for ‘demeaning’ two Israeli survivors of the Nova Music Festival who were ‘detained for two hours’ at Manchester Airport after flying over to speak about their experience.
Footage shows a male Border Force officer speaking in ‘aggressive terms’ to the two men who had travelled to the UK to raise awareness for a not-for-profit organisation they established to help survivors of the terror attacks.
The pair are said to be suffering from PTSD after Hamas invaded the music festival in Israel on October 7 last year, leading to the rape, torture and murder of more than 1,000 civilians.
In footage posted on X, the Border Force officer says: ‘Knock the attitude off. We’ve made the decision that you’re coming in, so just let us do the checks we need to do, and keep quiet.
‘Look at me. Are you clear with that? Good. We’re the bosses not you.’
Home Secretary James Cleverley has announced on X that the incident is being handled, adding: ‘We do not tolerate antisemitism or any form of discrimination.’
The two Israeli men ‘do not appear to have been argumentative’ towards the officer, according to Marc Levy, the Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region.
Footage shows a male Border Force officer (right) speaking in ‘aggressive terms’ to two Israeli men who had travelled to the UK to raise awareness about terrorism
In footage posted on X, the Border Force officer says ‘Knock the attitude off’ before adding ‘We’re the bosses not you’
James Cleverly has since put a statement up on X saying the incident is being handled
Hamas invaded Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7 last year (pictured), leading to the rape, torture and murder of more than 1,000 civilians
People are seen fleeing music festival after Hamas’s attack in Israel on October 7 last year
A man holding a weapon grabs another man next to a car during an attack by Hamas militants on October 7
Mr Levy added that the officer’s tone was ‘unnecessary and demeaning’ towards the two men.
The men – said to be brothers – were allegedly detained for two hours, before the same Border Police officer reportedly said ‘they had to make sure you are not going to do what you are doing in Gaza over here’.
In a letter to Manchester Airport Group, Mr Levy wrote: ‘We unequivocally condemn the fact that Israeli nationals were detained and subjected to abuse by a Border Police Officer.
‘The comment beyond their release proves beyond any doubt that this individual was motivated by antisemitic intent.’
He added: ‘The only reason for their detention and interrogation was because they are Israeli.’
According to Mr Levy, the two men were attending the music festival when terrorists started murdering civilians.
‘Instead of fleeing, the brothers, one of whom is a medic, remained at the festival site to save others, combat the terrorists and treat the wounded,’ Mr Levy wrote.
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the complaint made against Border Force staff at Manchester Airport and are investigating these claims.
‘While the facts and circumstances are being established, it must be reiterated that we do not tolerate antisemitism, in any forms, anywhere.’
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