Israel-Hamas War: Investigation after accusations Two survivors were questioned by border force staff on October 7 because they were Israelis

The Home Secretary has confirmed that an investigation is underway into two men, who are alleged to have been survivors of the Hamas terror attack on October 7, who were singled out by Border Force staff at Manchester Airport because they were Israelis.

The Jewish Council of Greater Manchester and Region (JRC) said the pair were in Rising Star Music Festival When Hamas attacks.

In a letter to Manchester Airport Group, the group said the pair came to the UK to tell their stories but were told they would need to be questioned on arrival at Manchester Airport.

The JRC also released a video of the incident, in which a male Border Force officer tells the men to “keep quiet, look at me, are you clear?”. He then said “We are the bosses, not you”.

In the letter, the JRC said: “We write to address concerns raised by Border Force officials regarding the discriminatory treatment of two Israeli Jewish citizens who arrived at Manchester Airport from Brussels on 24 March 2024 on flight SN2183.

“The two men were survivors of the October 7 attack by the terrorist group Hamas on the Raim (Nova) music festival in Israel. They were responsible for rescuing a number of other survivors of the attack. They suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) came to the UK to speak about their experiences as survivors of terrorism and to raise awareness of the non-profit organization they set up to help survivors of terror attacks.

“On arrival, when Border Patrol discovered they were holding Israeli passports, they were asked why they had come to Manchester. They responded that, as survivors of the Nova Music Festival, they had been invited to share their experiences with Manchester’s Jewish community. They were told they would be questioned.

“The only reason they were detained and interrogated was because they were Israelis.”

The men were detained for two hours and upon release, officials told them “they have to make sure you don’t do what you did here in Gaza,” JRC wrote.

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In response, Home Secretary James Cleverly wrote on X: “We are investigating this.

“We do not tolerate anti-Semitism or discrimination of any kind. This incident will be dealt with in accordance with our disciplinary procedures.”

Sky News has contacted Manchester Airport and Border Force for comment.