UK grants asylum to Palestinian activist

The UK has granted asylum to a Palestinian citizen of Israel, assessing that he has a "well-founded fear" of persecution should he return to Israel.

Al Jazeera reports that the UK Home Office had initially denied the claim "but reversed its decision only 24 hours before the case was set to go before a tribunal."

The man, who was only named Hasan in documents filed to the immigration tribunal, said that Israel operates under an apartheid system in which Palestinians face systematic oppression.

He said he faces a risk of persecution by Israeli authorities for his activism for Palestine and anti-Zionist views.

Palestinian citizens of Israel had said they were facing a "witch hunt" by Israeli authorities during the Gaza war.