Moataz Matar, an exiled Egyptian television presenter, has reportedly had his visa revoked by the United Kingdom for allegedly supporting Hamas, a group considered a “terrorist” organization by the UK government. The Home Office cancelled Matar’s visa for participating in pro-Palestinian protests in London and supporting Hamas, according to the London-based Telegraph news website. Matar has also been placed on a watch list, preventing him from returning to the UK.
The visa revocation is reportedly the first expulsion by Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick since the October 7 Hamas attack inside Israel. The UK government has announced plans to crack down on alleged “anti-Semitic” behavior following the attack, with at least six other foreign nationals potentially facing visa revocation, according to the Telegraph.
Matar has reportedly left the UK, but border officials will bar him from returning due to the watch list. The Home Office has the power to revoke visas for foreign nationals if their behavior is deemed “not conducive to the public good” or a threat to national security.
Jenrick and Chris Philip, the policing minister, have asked all 43 police forces in England and Wales to report any foreign individuals engaged in potentially “extremist activities” that could warrant visa revocation. France has also cracked down on pro-Palestinian rallies and ordered the expulsion of foreign nationals found to commit anti-Semitic acts.
Overall, the UK and France are taking measures to crack down on alleged support for Hamas and anti-Semitic behavior following the Hamas attack in Israel.