A UK-bound British national who was previously detained in Egypt has issued a full apology for past social media posts advocating violence against Zionists. Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who was held in Egypt for six years on charges of spreading false information about the government, has faced criticism for tweets dating back to 2010. His return to the UK was supported by Keir Starmer, although the Government has denounced his views as “abhorrent.”
Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow Home Secretary, condemned El-Fattah as a “despicable scumbag” and called for the revocation of his citizenship. El-Fattah, a dual British-Egyptian citizen known for his involvement in the Arab Spring protests and hunger strike while in prison, had made statements glorifying the killing of Zionists in his historical tweets.
Acknowledging the controversial nature of his past remarks, El-Fattah expressed deep regret for the hurtful and shocking content of his posts. He clarified that many of his tweets were expressions of anger and frustration during times of regional turmoil, such as conflicts in Iraq, Lebanon, and Gaza, as well as police brutality in Egypt. El-Fattah emphasized his commitment to combat sectarianism and racism, asserting his dedication to defending the rights of religious minorities.
The UK government, which had long advocated for El-Fattah’s release, reiterated its condemnation of his past social media activity. Despite receiving UK citizenship in December 2021, El-Fattah’s historical tweets have sparked concerns within the Jewish community about potential antisemitic sentiments. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council have raised alarms regarding the safety of Jewish communities, particularly in light of recent antisemitic incidents in Manchester and Australia.
El-Fattah’s previous endorsements of LGBTQ rights and criticism of religious discrimination in Egypt were highlighted as part of his defense against accusations of antisemitism. The blogger expressed gratitude for the support he has received and acknowledged the complexities of balancing free speech with accountability for past statements.