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
- Do you know the men who were arrested? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk
UK Border Force has been criticized for ‘humiliating’ two Israeli Nova Music Festival survivors who were ‘held for two hours’ at Manchester Airport after being flown in to speak about their experiences.
Footage shows a male border police officer speaking in “aggressive terms” to the two men who had traveled to Britain to raise awareness for a non-profit organization they founded 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 to We’ve decided you’re coming, so just let us do the checks we need to do, and be quiet.
‘Look at me. Are you clear with that? Good. We are the bosses, not you.’
Home Secretary James Cleverley announced on X this evening that the incident was being dealt with, adding: ‘We will not tolerate anti-Semitism or any form of discrimination.’
According to Marc Levy, the Chief Executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region, the two Israeli men ‘do not appear to have had an argument’ with the officer.
Footage shows a male border guard officer (right) speaking in ‘aggressive terms’ to two Israeli men who had traveled to Britain to raise awareness about terrorism
In footage posted to
James Cleverly has since issued a statement about X saying the incident is being dealt with
Hamas invaded the 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 the music festival following the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7 last year
A man holding a gun 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 reportedly held for two hours, before the same border police officer reportedly said ‘they had to make sure you don’t do what you are doing here in Gaza’.
In a letter to Manchester Airport Group, Mr Levy wrote: ‘We unequivocally condemn the fact that Israeli nationals were detained and subjected to ill-treatment by a border police officer.
“The comments following their release prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this individual was motivated by anti-Semitic intent.”
He added: “The only reason for their detention and interrogation was because they are Israeli.”
According to Mr Levy, the two men were at the music festival when terrorists began killing civilians.
“Rather than flee, the brothers, one of whom is a medic, remained on the festival site to rescue others, fight the terrorists and treat the wounded,” Mr. Levy wrote.
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the complaint 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 will not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form.”
Do you know the men who were arrested? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk