Israeli passenger “mistreated” at major British airport on October 7 | United Kingdom | News

An Israeli author has claimed he was the victim of anti-Semitic insults from staff at Luton Airport, leaving them to launch an investigation.

Alon Penzel claimed he was harassed by airport security as he prepared to fly to Tel Aviv, Israel.

He wore a T-shirt with the slogan “End Jew Hate” written on it. He also carried a sign promoting his book titled “Testimonies Without Borders Israel: October 7.”

October 7 refers to the date of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel last year, which claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Israelis.

Anti-Semitic abuses have been on the rise since October 7 as Israel’s war against Hamas continues. Gaza’s health ministry says the Israeli army has killed nearly 45,000 people in the Palestinian territory.

Mr Penzel claims he was stopped by a security guard who told him his sign was “offensive”, reports The Telegraph.

The author, 23, was in London to discuss his book, which includes testimonies from those who survived Hamas captivity.

He said: “I had already gone through security and was heading towards the door when a security guard approached me and asked if I was a protester.

“I was perplexed. I said “no, I’m just trying to catch my flight.” He pointed to my sign and said some people might find it offensive. I asked why and he said it was offensive because there had been an illegal occupation since 1948. That’s when I realized there was something else going on.

He continued: “I felt like it was pure anti-Semitism. I told them I was not a protester.

“They said they were looking at CCTV footage of me because protests are not allowed at the airport. Finally, they let me go. There was no apology, nothing.

Mr. Penzel is now taking legal action following this incident. He is represented by British Lawyers for Israel.

In a letter to Luton Airport they said: “[The security guard] was trying to make its own political point that the October 7 massacre was Israel’s fault and constituted some sort of revenge for Israel’s historical wrongs.

“Moreover, he appeared to blame Mr. Prenzel for the imaginary actions of past Israeli governments. He appeared to want to punish Mr. Penzel, based on his own anti-Semitic attitude, by arresting him.

“[The security guard] appears to have harassed Mr. Penzel and detained him for over an hour, on the grounds that he was obviously Jewish and Israeli.

Luton Airport’s general counsel, Mee-Ling Skeffington, responded to the letter.

She said: “An investigation has begun and is ongoing. You will understand that we cannot comment further on this process, but we can confirm that it will be thorough and that we will take appropriate action based on the results. We will not tolerate intolerance, whether based on race or religion.

An airport spokesperson said: “Staff were alerted to the presence of a passenger who appeared to be carrying a sign at the boarding gate for a flight to Tel Aviv.

“To ensure the safety of passengers, police were asked to intervene before the man was allowed to board his flight and continue his journey.”