UK denies entry to Swedish academic due to speak at Palestine event

What the report says

The UK Home Office has cancelled the travel authorisation of Swedish academic Andreas Malm, preventing him from entering the country for a planned appearance at a Palestine-related event in London, Al Jazeera reported. According to the outlet, the government said his presence was “not considered to be conducive to the public good.” Malm had been due to speak on a panel organised by the British socialist magazine Tribune, alongside Huda Ammori, a cofounder of Palestine Action, with the discussion chaired by Hala Hanina of Palestine Deep Dive.

Malm told Al Jazeera that he believed the decision was linked to the event, and said he had received no prior warning that his Electronic Travel Authorisation would be revoked. He said he had visited the UK previously without issue and had not publicly changed his position on Palestine in the intervening months. The Home Office reportedly told him he could apply for a visa instead, but that process could take several weeks and would likely miss the event date.

The case comes amid broader controversy over the UK government’s approach to Palestine activism. Al Jazeera noted that Palestine Action has been proscribed under UK law as a terrorist organisation, a move criticised by rights groups. The report also linked the decision to wider concerns among activists and academics about restrictions on speech and association in relation to pro-Palestine advocacy.