English far-right leader Tommy Robinson invited to Israel

An Israeli minister has clashed with the U.K.'s leading Jewish organizations after lauding a leader of the English far right and inviting him to visit the country.

LONDON — An Israeli minister has clashed with the U.K.’s leading Jewish organizations after lauding a leader of the English far right and inviting him to visit the country.

Tommy Robinson, a convicted fraudster with a violent criminal record who is well known for inspiring rallies of mostly white, mostly male followers shouting soccer-style chants against Islam and immigration, accepted the invitation from Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister for the diaspora and combating antisemitism.

Chikli called Robinson — whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon — a “courageous leader on the front line against radical Islam.”

Writing on X Friday, Chilki said he would be “proud to host” Robinson “on behalf of the State of Israel,” saying the British activist would visit in mid-October.

Tens of thousands march at far-right rally in London01:19The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), which represents the largest Jewish organizations in the United Kingdom, and the Board of Deputies, called Robinson a “thug” who “represents the very worst of Britain,” and criticized the invitation in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester.