A Palestinian citizen of Israel has been granted asylum in the UK after a protracted legal battle, despite a former home secretary's attempt to block the claim. The 26-year-old, referred to as Hasan to protect his identity, is believed to be the first Palestinian with an Israeli passport to receive refugee status in the UK.
Hasan was born in Israel but has lived in the UK with his mother and siblings for most of his life. He claimed asylum on the grounds of a 'well-founded fear of persecution' due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and his identity as a Palestinian and Muslim. His initial application was refused, but on 11 March 2024, the Home Office granted refugee status subject to security checks. However, after media coverage, then-Home Secretary James Cleverly intervened, leading to a reversal of the decision.
With support from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), Hasan successfully challenged the reversal via judicial review. The Home Office was refused permission to appeal, and Hasan was granted asylum just before Christmas. Documents from the review revealed that the initial grant cited 'substantial evidence of systematic discriminatory practices against Palestinians in Israel: apartheid, forced removal, restrictions of rights and exclusion from society'.
Hasan expressed frustration over the prolonged uncertainty, stating: 'I claimed asylum nearly seven years ago, and all that time I’ve been denied the right to work, study or rent. I’ve also been living under the threat of removal from my community and home to Israel, a genocidal, apartheid regime that persecutes Palestinians.' He is now seeking damages and has faced delays with his eVisa.
Taher Gulamhussein, Hasan's solicitor at JCWI, criticised the Home Office's actions, saying: 'Despite several senior officials agreeing that Hasan should be given paperwork confirming the same, three home secretaries, both Tory and Labour, and their Home Office, have wasted public money in trying to deny they accepted he is a refugee.' The Home Office and James Cleverly have been approached for comment.
