A British national, previously detained in Egypt and recently allowed into the UK, has issued a full apology for past social media posts that seemed to endorse violence against Zionists. Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who spent six years apart from his son due to charges related to spreading false news, was greeted in the UK by Keir Starmer. The British government denounced his historical comments as “abhorrent.”
Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow Home Secretary, strongly criticized El-Fattah’s remarks from a decade ago, advocating for the revocation of his citizenship. El-Fattah, a dual British-Egyptian citizen and a prominent figure in the Arab Spring movements, expressed regret for his inflammatory statements, acknowledging their offensive nature and issuing an unequivocal apology.
Despite a prolonged advocacy campaign for his release by both Conservative and Labour administrations, El-Fattah’s imprisonment was condemned by UN investigators as a violation of international law. Following a presidential pardon in Egypt, he was able to join his family in the UK. El-Fattah emphasized his commitment to LGBTQ rights and religious minority protections, clarifying that certain tweets had been misinterpreted.
The granting of UK citizenship to El-Fattah in December 2021, reportedly facilitated by his British mother, was affirmed by the Foreign Office. While the Prime Minister expressed delight at his return, concerns were raised by Jewish organizations regarding El-Fattah’s past comments and their potential impact on the safety of Jewish communities. El-Fattah acknowledged the outpouring of support he received and reiterated his stance against antisemitism and racism, stressing his dedication to defending human rights.
El-Fattah’s social media activities in the past led to him losing a nomination for the Sakharov Prize in 2014. He appreciated the solidarity shown by supporters and acknowledged the complexities surrounding his case. Amid ongoing discussions about his controversial statements, El-Fattah expressed gratitude for those who stood by him during his ordeal.