Theresa May challenges Corbyn to condemn Muslim-majority countries that ban Israelis

Theresa May has condemned the nations that ban Israelis (particularly Israeli Jews) from entering their country.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Theresa May responded to Theresa Villiers MP, who said: “Most of the countries covered by the Trump ban, have a total exclusion on the admission of Israeli citizens”.

May said parliament: “Should be aware of the discrimination and the ban that exists around the world… particularly for those who are Israeli citizens.”

She added: “We don’t agree with that approach, and it’s not an approach that we will be taking. I wait for the day the Right Honourable gentleman opposite actually stands up and condemns it too.”

The sixteen countries that currently ban Israelis from entering their countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

On top of this, if you are not an Israeli citizen but have visited Israel, and therefore have an Israeli stamp in your passport, you will also be barred from entering thirteen of those countries.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Corbyn’s team said: “Jeremy opposes all immigration bans based on religion, ethnicity or country of origin. In relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict, he supports a negotiated settlement based on UN resolutions to bring an end to and resolve all aspects of the conflict.”

While both Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May have spoken out against any type of travel ban, it will be interesting to see if either of them will address the Israeli ban specifically with the 16 countries who ban Israelis from entering their country?

The issue regarding the travel ban on Israelis was highlighted this week by Nigel Farage who used opportunities on the BBC, at the EU, on LBC radio and even Loose Women to highlight the point.

Watch the video below to see what he had to say.