Israeli minister hosts UK anti-Islam figure Tommy Robinson in Tel Aviv

British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is continuing his visit to Israel after arriving in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, following an invitation from Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli of the Likud party.

Upon his arrival, Robinson - known for his anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant views - posted on X:

"Just landed in the beautiful State of Israel. Thank you Amichai Chikli. It’s an honor to be here and I look forward to meeting as many people as possible. A country with strong and patriotic leadership, led by Bibi Netanyahu and his party - unlike the weak and cowardly Keir Starmer and his misguided Labour Party in the UK."

In another post, the founder of the English Defence League (EDL) shared a video from Ben Gurion Airport, saying:

"I’m in Tel Aviv. It’s an honour to be here and to have been invited. Even though our government is weak and cowardly and recognised the terrorist state of Palestine, the British people stand with Israel."

The video shows Robinson being welcomed by an Israeli named Avi, filmed for Urban Scoop News, an anti-Muslim media outlet promoting far-right narratives. In the video, Robinson declares:

"Israel is surrounded by jihad. Britain will be surrounded by jihad. The security problem Israel faces here is the same one we’ll face in Europe."

He also insists he was not paid for his posts and describes himself as a "good friend of Israel", echoing Israeli propaganda lines about Israel being a democracy that respects human rights. At one point he adds:

"I’m an enemy of the state in Britain, and a friend of the state in Israel."

The far-right activist recently admitted however that billionaire Elon Musk paid for his legal costs, as he faces trial for refusing to comply with a police counterterrorism investigation.

Jewish condemnation
Several British Jewish organisations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, both of which are pro-Israel, condemned Robinson’s visit.

They called him “a thug who represents the worst of Britain.” and said his presence undermines genuine efforts to combat extremism and foster community cohesion, criticizing Chikli for ignoring the views of most British Jews, who reject Robinson.

The Labour Friends of Israel group also urged Chikli to withdraw the invitation, citing Robinson’s criminal record and stating that he is "no friend of the Jewish people".

On Thursday, Robinson released a new video from Tel Aviv titled 'Israel’s Hidden Illegal Migration Crisis', featuring Israeli activist Shefi Paz, often described as "Little Tommy of Israel".

The video focuses on African asylum seekers in Israel. Robinson also visited a Tel Aviv memorial to victims of the 7th October attacks.

Before his trip, he announced plans to meet Israeli soldiers and "community leaders" in south Tel Aviv “fighting illegal immigration.” According to Haaretz, he was expected to meet an Israeli army officer who fought in Sderot and to view a "terror footage" presentation by the Israeli Army. 

The Times of Israel reported that Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif was also on his meeting list.

Criminal Record and Incitement
Robinson has a long criminal history, having been imprisoned five times over the past two decades for offences including fraud, contempt of court, and drug crimes. Most recently, he served seven months for contempt of court in May 2024.

In 2018, he was jailed after live-streaming outside Leeds Crown Court during a sexual grooming case, violating a reporting ban.

He founded the far-right English Defence League in 2009, known for its violent, Islamophobic rallies. Though he briefly left in 2013, claiming he wanted to fight extremism through dialogue, he later resumed far-right activism with groups like PEGIDA UK, which is now defunct.

Robinson has also been accused of spreading misinformation, including false claims after a stabbing in Southport that sparked nationwide riots targeting mosques and refugees. Anti-racism groups have labelled him one of Britain’s leading instigators of hate against migrants and asylum seekers.

Accusations of Antisemitism
In 2023, organizers of a British march against antisemitism asked Robinson not to attend. In 2018, the Anti-Defamation League urged the Trump administration to deny him a visa.

Robinson was once a member of the far-right British National Party (BNP), historically associated with antisemitic and fascist ideologies.

According to The Guardian, Robinson’s media outlet Urban Scoop deleted a 2022 post titled 'Tommy’s Statement: The Jewish Question', which echoed classic antisemitic tropes about Jewish influence in media and politics. 

“There are influential Jews — self-declared Zionists — who control the levers of power in entertainment, big tech, mainstream media, and governments," Robinson wrote in the article.

He also falsely cited pseudo-scientific sources, claiming that "Jews (at least European Ashkenazi Jews) have an average IQ of 110."