World
UK Home Office Revokes Swedish Academic’s Travel Permission Ahead of Planned Palestine Panel
The UK Home Office cancelled Swedish national Andreas Malm’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on Wednesday, saying his presence in the UK was not considered conducive to the public good. Malm was scheduled to appear on a panel organised by the British socialist magazine Tribune in London a week later. The panel will feature Huda Ammori, co‑founder of Palestine Action – a group the UK has proscribed as a terrorist organisation – and will be chaired by Hala Hanina of Palestine Deep Dive.
Malm told Al Jazeera that he believes the cancellation is linked to his planned appearance. He has not received any prior warning from the Home Office and has yet to receive a response to his request for an explanation. He added that he has travelled to the UK regularly for decades and that his latest visit was in May.
In the Home Office’s email, Malm was advised to apply for a standard visitor visa if he wishes to enter the UK. The government website states that the processing time for such a visa is three weeks, meaning he would not receive it in time for the panel.
The decision comes amid a broader crackdown on pro‑Palestine activists that began under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer’s government proscribed Palestine Action last year, classifying it as a terrorist organisation alongside groups such as al‑Qaeda and ISIS. The move has been condemned by rights groups, including Amnesty International.
Tribune editor Oliver Eagleton said the current government continues the “authoritarian overreach” seen under Starmer. He described the ban as a new form of “dystopian Britain” where authors and academics are treated as terrorists for supporting Palestinians.
Malm expressed concern that the ban represents guilt by association, noting that more than 3,850 people have been arrested for publicly supporting Palestine Action since its proscription.
Gareth Dale, a reader in political economy at Brunel University of London, said the Home Office’s decision suggests the government intends to continue suppressing free speech. He called the ban a “monstrous attempt” to silence a leading climate and human‑rights campaigner.
The Home Office has not yet replied to Al Jazeera’s request for clarification on the cancellation of Malm’s ETA or its connection to the event he planned to attend.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Andreas Malm?
He is a Swedish national and academic whose Electronic Travel Authorisation was revoked by the UK Home Office.
Why was his ETA cancelled?
The Home Office said his presence was not considered conducive to the public good, and it may be linked to his planned appearance on a Tribune panel.
What event was he scheduled to attend?
He was scheduled to appear on a panel organised by the British socialist magazine Tribune in London, featuring Huda Ammori and chaired by Hala Hanina.