A UK-based British citizen, who was released from unlawful detention in Egypt, has issued a full apology for past tweets that appeared to incite violence against Zionists. Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who was separated from his son for six years due to charges related to spreading false news about the Egyptian government, arrived in the UK to a mixed reception. Opposition leader Keir Starmer welcomed him, despite backlash over unearthed tweets from 2010 that the Government has condemned as “abhorrent.”
Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow Home Secretary, harshly criticized Mr. El-Fattah, calling for his citizenship to be revoked. El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian dual national known for his role in the Arab Spring protests, faced backlash for tweets glorifying violence against Zionists, stating, “we need to kill more of them.” Additionally, he made derogatory remarks about British people in some of his posts.
In response to the resurfacing of his tweets, El-Fattah expressed deep regret, acknowledging the hurtful nature of his past statements and issuing a clear apology. He attributed the offensive content to his youthful anger during turbulent times in the Middle East. Despite the controversy, El-Fattah emphasized his commitment to LGBTQ rights and standing up against discrimination.
Both Conservative and Labour governments had campaigned for El-Fattah’s release, denouncing his imprisonment as a violation of international law. He was eventually pardoned by Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in September and allowed to travel to the UK. El-Fattah clarified that certain tweets had been misinterpreted, highlighting that his intentions were often misunderstood or taken out of context.
The UK government affirmed El-Fattah’s British citizenship and condemned his past tweets while expressing support for his release and reunion with his family. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, reportedly unaware of the controversial social media posts, welcomed El-Fattah’s return to the UK. However, concerns were raised by Jewish organizations regarding the potential impact of El-Fattah’s views on the safety of the Jewish community.
Despite the controversy surrounding his past statements, El-Fattah expressed gratitude for the support he received and emphasized the importance of standing up for human rights. He acknowledged the pain felt by some supporters who now regret their backing but affirmed that advocating for justice and fairness is a noble endeavor.
In conclusion, El-Fattah’s return to the UK has sparked debate and raised questions about the implications of his past social media activity, prompting a reassessment of his views and the impact on different communities.