Foreign students, scholars, and professionals who conduct anti-Semitic crimes or laud Hamas face expulsion from the UK under Home Office guidelines.
In the aftermath of the terror group’s attack on Israel, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has commissioned authorities in the department to explore how they could cancel visas on national security grounds where there is evidence of discrimination or sympathy for the terror organisation.
It follows a similar decision by France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, who has ordered that all foreigners who conduct anti-Semitic acts be deported immediately. Three people have already been deported from France.
The UK has the authority to revoke visas for students, workers, and visitors on national security grounds or if it is deemed necessary for the public interest, providing there is “proportionate” evidence.
Following Saturday’s incursion, vice-chancellors have already warned students that they may face criminal charges if they exhibit support for Hamas terrorists.
Students are said to have been reported to police because Palestine societies at various colleges celebrated Hamas on social media following the attack, which killed hundreds of civilians.
Academics have also been accused of rationalizing Hamas militants’ attacks on civilians in online articles, including one in which the fatalities were described as a “consequence” for “partying on stolen land.”
University College London confirmed that it was investigating an academic for reposting a comment made on Oct 7 saying that Palestinian “retaliation” had been “entirely justifiable”.
A Home Office source told The Telegraph: “We’ve seen some sickening displays of anti-Semitism and glorification for the terrorism of Hamas.
“If those in the UK on visas behave in this manner, it is clearly conducive to the public good that they have their visa revoked and be removed, as the law permits.
“It’s important that the British Jewish community know that they are protected and we establish basic norms of conduct for those staying in the UK.”
It is understood some of the comments by students are already being reviewed by Home Office officials to establish whether and how they could take action to terminate their visas.
Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, has written to university vice-chancellors asking them to act “swiftly and decisively” to stamp out “implicit or explicit” threats to Jewish students.
“We have seen evidence of a number of student societies that support Palestinians sending out inflammatory messages that show support for Hamas, which is, as you know, a proscribed terrorist organisation,” wrote Ms Keegan.