2 Israelis Held by Border Force in Manchester

By Hamodia Staff

Two Israeli survivors of the music festival attack on Oct. 7, 2023, were detained for two hours at Manchester Airport by Border Force staff, as they entered the U.K. to speak about their experiences.

Brothers Daniel and Neriyah Sharabi were invited as guest speakers at a Greater Manchester Jewish Business Network business lunch held at Chabad in the city on Monday, to mark Shushan Purim. They traveled from Brussels on Sunday on Israeli passports, and were apparently pulled aside by Border Force officials after explaining the purpose of their visit: to speak about their experiences as terrorism survivors, and to raise awareness for a not-for-profit organization they have set up to help other survivors of terrorism.

After being questioned for two hours, the brothers, who are suffering from PTSD following Oct. 7, when they remained at the site to save others, treat the wounded and combat the terrorists, were eventually allowed into the U.K.

The Border Force officer told them that they had “to make sure that you are not going to do what you are doing in Gaza over here.” The same officer was captured on video saying to them, “Keep quiet, look at me, are you clear with that? We are the bosses, not you.” The Sharabi brothers do not appear to have been argumentative in the video.

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester has written to the Manchester Airport Group, asking them to “fully investigate this as a matter of urgency.” The letter requests “urgent clarification on what immediate steps will be taken to ensure that others traveling with Israeli passports are not subjected to the same abuse.”

Manchester Airport responded swiftly to the letter and have been in contact with the Home Office. A spokesperson said that the U.K. Border Force personnel are not employees of the airport.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, who is ultimately responsible for the Border Force, wrote on social media, in response to the letter, “We are investigating this. We do not tolerate antisemitism or any form of discrimination. This incident will be handled in line with our disciplinary procedures.”

A spokesperson for the Home Office said, “We are aware of the complaint made against Border Force staff at Manchester Airport and are investigating these claims. While the facts and circumstances are being established, it must be reiterated that we do not tolerate antisemitism, in any forms, anywhere.”