Image Source: Middle East Monitor
World – British Journalist Dr Yvonne Ridley has voiced strong criticism against the United Kingdom government’s decision to ban Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, from entering the country despite holding a diplomatic passport.
Mandla, a prominent South African politician and outspoken supporter of Palestine, had been scheduled to speak at a series of pro-Palestine events in eight cities in the UK.
The visa ban has triggered widespread outrage by pro-Palestinian organisations in the UK, with many seeing it as an apparent attempt to silence a key figure in the global movement for Palestinian rights.
“So many of us feel ashamed that the chief is being treated like this. It’s just unbelievable. We have a Labour government in this country, and it was the Conservative government which called Nelson Mandela a terrorist. In fact, it was Margaret Thatcher.”
“And here we have a Labour government that has just taken this extraordinary decision to issue a Visa ban on Nelson Mandela’s grandson for no other reason than his support for Palestine. Nelson Mandela also supported Palestine, and to silence one of the most powerful voices in the world today is shameful. It is shameful.”
Dr Ridley also aimed at the Labour Party, accusing it of being unduly influenced by pro-Israel lobbying groups. She argued that the party’s integrity had been compromised, pointing to the financial backing received by key figures, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
This support, she suggested, has caused Labour to shift its focus away from representing the British public and instead align itself with foreign interests.
“It is true that one of the lobbies, Labour Friends of Israel, which on its website says it sets out to promote foreign interests for Israel. It is astonishing, but more than half of the cabinet ministers in Starmer’s government are all in the pay and sway of Labour Friends of Israel.”
“They have received over £300,000 in donations in recent years. This is not a government that is independent and freethinking; it is in the grip of a foreign power, and that foreign power is Israel. That is why we are in this sorry state.”
While the UK refused to grant Mandela entry, the Irish government took a different stance, respecting his diplomatic passport and allowing him to proceed with his scheduled engagements.
This move was seen as a powerful rejection of the UK’s politically motivated decision. Dr Ridley commended Ireland for its principled stance, calling it a courageous act of defiance against political pressure and a commitment to justice.
“The Irish have told them to clear off. They’re not going to entertain this visa ban. What they’ve said is he has a diplomatic passport, and that should be respected. If there’s any additional form filling, he can do it when he arrives in Ireland.”
