British anti-immigration firebrand Tommy Robinson visits Israel

Invited by a minister in Netanyahu’s government, Robinson receives a warm welcome in Israel – even as his trip draws criticism from some British Jews.

By World Israel News Staff

British anti-immigration activist Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon arrived in Israel on Wednesday, kicking off a trip organized by the Israeli government’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

Better known by the moniker Tommy Robinson, the controversial English activist and documentary filmmaker’s visit drew criticism from British Jewish community leaders, who lambasted Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli (Likud) for inviting Robinson.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement earlier this month condemning Chikli’s invitation to Robinson, while castigating the 42-year-old activist as a “thug.”

“Tommy Robinson is a thug who represents the very worst of Britain,” the two British Jewish community organizations said.

“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.”

Despite the criticism from British Jewish groups, Robinson received a warm welcome in Tel Aviv, where he joined anti-illegal immigration activists, led by Sheffi Paz.

“Tommy Robinson is a source of inspiration,” Paz said after the meeting.

“Intelligent, courageous, willing to pay a heavy price for his truth. Each one of us, in our own way, is a true fighter for human rights. We are fighting for the right to preserve the national identity of our people and to safeguard its heritage.”

Upon arriving in Israel, Robinson denounced British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his government’s decision to recognize unilateral Palestinian statehood, while expressing his support for Israel.

“I’m honored to be here. It is a privilege to be invited here,” Robinson said at Ben Gurion International Airport.

“Although we may have a weak, spineless, cowardly government who recognized the terrorist state of ‘Palestine,’ the British people stand with the State of Israel.”

During his first day in Israel, Robinson met with Minister Chikli and Australian Jewish activist and Rebel News reporter Avi Yemini.

Yemini pushed back against Robinson’s Jewish critics, writing in response to an op-ed piece published by LBC which declared Robinson “is no friend to Jews.”

“Yes he is – you proper bellends,” Yemini responded.

Robinson has long been a polarizing figure both in the UK and abroad, splitting even conservatives.
Critics have accused Robinson of sensationalizing crime in the immigrant community and of spreading anti-Muslim disinformation.

His supporters, on the other hand, credit Robinson with exposing the mass sexual abuse of British girls and young women by “grooming gangs,” most of whom are Muslim migrants, as well as shining a light on the British government’s failures on immigration control.

Nigel Farage, head of the right-wing Reform UK party, publicly rejected Robinson, saying the anti-immigration activist was “not what” the party needs.

“Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles,” Farage wrote on X.
Billionaire businessman Elon Musk, however, criticized Farage’s rejection of Robinson, saying that the refusal to support Robinson showed Farage is “weak sauce who will do nothing.”