Starmer Faces Criticism Over Activist's Egypt Return Celebration

A Controversial Welcome for a British-Egyptian Activist

Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has faced backlash for expressing his delight at the return of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British democracy activist who was recently released from Egyptian detention. This reaction has sparked debate over his past social media activity and its implications.

On Friday, Sir Keir expressed his happiness that Alaa Abd El-Fattah had been reunited with family in the UK after being released from prison in September following a presidential pardon. Other Labour figures, including shadow cabinet ministers Yvette Cooper and David Lammy, also shared similar sentiments on social media.

However, this positive reception has not gone unchallenged. The Jewish Leadership Council, a charity representing Jewish organisations across the UK, criticized the "effusive welcome" given by the UK government to Mr. Abd El-Fattah. Additionally, senior Conservative politician Robert Jenrick accused Sir Keir of poor judgment for endorsing an individual whose past social media posts appear to reflect extremist views.

Background on Alaa Abd El-Fattah

Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian dual national, was detained in Egypt in September 2019. In December 2021, he was sentenced to five years in prison for spreading false news. His imprisonment was condemned as a breach of international law by UN investigators, and he was eventually released after being pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi.

Mr. Abd El-Fattah gained prominence during Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising and became known for his activism. He has also engaged in hunger strikes while imprisoned. Prior to his release, Labour's Conservative predecessors had also advocated for his freedom.

Social Media Controversies

Sir Keir expressed his joy on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I’m delighted that Alaa Abd El-Fattah is back in the UK and has been reunited with his loved ones, who must be feeling profound relief.” He praised Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s family and those who campaigned for his release, adding that his case has been a top priority for his government since coming to office.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, however, described these remarks as a “personal, public endorsement” from the Prime Minister. He pointed out that Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s past social media posts, which could not be verified by the Press Association, included statements that appeared to advocate violence against “zionists” and the police.

In 2014, Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s online activity led to the withdrawal of his nomination for the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize. The group backing him cited a tweet from 2012 in which he called for the murder of Israelis.

Calls for Clarification

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Jenrick asked whether Sir Keir was aware of Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s statements before expressing his delight at his release. He questioned if the Prime Minister would condemn these statements, including any endorsement of killing Israelis and “zionists,” as well as calls to kill police and burn Downing Street.

Mr. Jenrick also urged the Prime Minister to correct the record and withdraw the “unalloyed endorsement.” He argued that while no one should be arbitrarily imprisoned or punished for peaceful dissent, the Prime Minister should not use the authority of his office to support someone whose words cross into the language of racism and bloodshed.

Concerns from the Jewish Leadership Council

The Jewish Leadership Council voiced its concerns following recent antisemitic attacks in Manchester and at Australia’s Bondi Beach. They expressed dismay at the UK government’s enthusiastic welcome for Mr. Abd El-Fattah, highlighting that the Prime Minister recently pledged to combat antisemitism in the UK.

The council stated, “We know from Heaton Park, Manchester and Bondi Beach that there are those who hear such words as a call to action. The Government has celebrated Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s arrival as a victory, British Jews will see it as yet another reminder of the danger we face.”

Official Response

A Foreign Office spokesperson said, “Mr El-Fattah is a British citizen. It has been a long-standing priority under successive governments to work for his release from detention, and to see him reunited with his family in the UK.”