A Palestinian student at Manchester University, who lost her student visa following remarks describing the October 7 events as “a once in a lifetime experience” has successfully appealed the UK's Home Office’s decision on human rights grounds.
In its ruling, the tribunal determined that the Home Office had not shown that Dana Abu Qamar’s presence in the UK was “not conducive to public good” and deemed the revocation of her visa “disproportionate.”
Abu Qamar, a dual Jordanian-Canadian citizen of Palestinian descent, had her visa revoked in December 2023 due to statements she made at a pro-Palestine demonstration at Manchester University, as well as in an interview with Sky News.
On October 8, a day after the Hamas attack, Abu Qamar expressed feeling “pride” and “joy,” asserting that Gaza’s resistance was “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Abu Qamar, who led the Friends of Palestine society at Manchester University, argued that her comments were misinterpreted and intended to express support for Palestinian self-determination, not Hamas. She clarified that she did not endorse violence against civilians.
The tribunal found the Home Office’s action to be a “disproportionate interference with her right to free speech” under the European Convention on Human Rights. It ruled that Abu Qamar’s remarks did not imply support for Hamas or the attack itself, but rather solidarity with the broader Palestinian cause.
* The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.
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