Overview

• Former UK foreign secretary James Cleverly called the invitation a foolish move and said Tommy Robinson is no friend of the Jewish community.
• Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli defended the decision, said he is proud to host Robinson, and mocked Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s criticism.
• The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council condemned Chikli’s praise, describing Robinson as a thug who does not represent British Jews.
• No 10 echoed the community bodies’ stance, stating Robinson does not speak for the decent, tolerant, patriotic majority of the country.
• The dispute unfolds after a deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue last week, as Robinson says he plans to travel to Israel after his October 13 trial with visits he listed to Jerusalem, the Knesset, Yad Vashem and the Nova site.