A Palestinian woman from East Jerusalem has been refused a UK visitor visa while her husband’s application was approved, forcing the couple to cancel plans to visit their son in London.

Karim Abdallah, who has lived and worked legally in the UK since 2019, had invited his parents, Therese Abdallah, 69, and her husband, Ghassan Abdallah, to spend several weeks with him. Therese is a retired English teacher, while Ghassan works as a psychologist.

Family Visit Cancelled

The couple had previously travelled to the UK on academic visits without encountering visa difficulties. However, the Home Office rejected Therese’s latest application, saying officials were not convinced she was a genuine visitor who would leave the UK at the end of her stay. Ghassan’s application, submitted through the same process, was approved.

Concerns Over Return Home

In its refusal letter, the Home Office said Therese’s ties to the UK outweighed her connections to her home country and concluded it was not satisfied, "on the balance of probabilities", that she intended to leave after her visit.

The decision came despite the couple applying together with the same invitation from Karim and his partner, who also provided evidence that they could financially support the visit.

Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem occupy a distinctive legal position. They are not Israeli citizens but hold Israeli and Jordanian travel documents. Because Therese needed separate visas for both the UK and a family wedding in Ireland, she submitted one application using her Israeli travel document and another using her Jordanian document.

Karim said his mother had previously been refused a UK visa in 2019 due to a technical issue involving a bank statement submitted in Hebrew.

The latest refusal also informed Therese that she had no right to appeal or request an administrative review.

Strong Family and Community Links

According to Karim, his mother has deep roots in East Jerusalem, where she was born and has lived all her life. Although he lives in the UK, his brother, an oncologist, remains in East Jerusalem with his wife, children and extended family.

Karim said his mother would have no reason to remain in Britain, noting that spending too long outside East Jerusalem could jeopardise her residency status.

He said he had lived lawfully in the UK for several years, worked, paid taxes and did not receive state benefits. He added that he had been looking forward to taking his parents to attractions including Kew Gardens and attending a family wedding in Ireland before the visa refusal disrupted their plans.

Home Office Response

A Home Office spokesperson declined to comment on the individual case but said all visa applications are assessed on their own merits and on the evidence submitted, including any previous visa refusals.

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25 July 2026

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Good Goddess, these people are established professionals with practices of their own! What nonsense! She should have arrived by boat!

5 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Good Goddess, these people are established professionals with practices of their own! What nonsense! She should have arrived by boat!

Alone on a boat with 60 fighting aged men from backwards cultures that have zero respect for women?

Not a great idea.

On 7/25/2026 at 7:58 PM, webfact said:

who would leave the UK at the end of her stay.

Well, at the end of the stay she could go home to see that Jews have moved into it.

1000's of people get refused visas on a daily basis .

What is special about this woman ?

30 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

1000's of people get refused visas on a daily basis .

What is special about this woman ?

Uh, family. Joining her husband. Sheesh, what's so special about you.

12 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Uh, family. Joining her husband. Sheesh, what's so special about you.

Yes , but many people get denied visas for various things .

Her situation isn't unique , why is she newsworthy and people from other Countries who get denied visas arent newsworthy?

7 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Good Goddess, these people are established professionals with practices of their own! What nonsense! She should have arrived by boat!

Once again you intentionally misrepresent the actual facts.

You claim that these people are established professionals. On what basis do you make that claim? You made that up to facilitate your pathetic attempt to show these people as "victims".

The woman is a RETIRED teacher. She is not an established professional. The information available from Arab sources makes mention of the fact that the son has only been in the UK for approx. 8 years. Also not mentioned is their intent to go to Ireland for a "family wedding". So much for her not having family in the UK in the region. Her husband's visit was not denied.

A rather astute move by the UK, as the the husband may not want to stay unless they both can do so. I expect that should she apply for a visit once her husband returns to jerusalem, she will be allowed.

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2652267/world

1 hour ago, Packer said:

Well, at the end of the stay she could go home to see that Jews have moved into it.

How would that occur? According to the Arab media she lives in a building shared with other family members. Why do you try to incite hatred?

11 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

How would that occur?

You know what the Jewry are like.

As soon as the jewry see something. It's mine!

A blight on the animal kingdom. 🙂

12 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Yes , but many people get denied visas for various things .

Her situation isn't unique , why is she newsworthy and people from other Countries who get denied visas arent newsworthy?

12 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Yes , but many people get denied visas for various things .

Her situation isn't unique , why is she newsworthy and people from other Countries who get denied visas arent newsworthy?

12 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Yes , but many people get denied visas for various things .

Her situation isn't unique , why is she newsworthy and people from other Countries who get denied visas arent newsworthy?

Certainly newsworthy when an academic had a difficult time getting out of a war zone.

11 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Once again you intentionally misrepresent the actual facts.

You claim that these people are established professionals. On what basis do you make that claim? You made that up to facilitate your pathetic attempt to show these people as "victims".

The woman is a RETIRED teacher. She is not an established professional. The information available from Arab sources makes mention of the fact that the son has only been in the UK for approx. 8 years. Also not mentioned is their intent to go to Ireland for a "family wedding". So much for her not having family in the UK in the region. Her husband's visit was not denied.

A rather astute move by the UK, as the the husband may not want to stay unless they both can do so. I expect that should she apply for a visit once her husband returns to jerusalem, she will be allowed.

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2652267/world

The article states, psychologist. But, really, who cares if she stays or not and why? Immigrants arrive every day. The Balfour Mandate certainly means Palestinians have some right from the UK.

Edited July 28Jul 28 by unblocktheplanet
add

3 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The article states, psychologist.

"Therese is a retired English teacher,"

5 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Certainly newsworthy when an academic had a difficult time getting out of a war zone.

Really ?

What difficulties did she face getting out of Israel ?

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Really ?

What difficulties did she face getting out of Israel ?

The usual Israeli BS. Roadblocks, checkpoints, armed IDF on a hair trigger.

2 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The usual Israeli BS. Roadblocks, checkpoints, armed IDF on a hair trigger.

Thats odd, they applied online and then didn't make the trip.

So, they wouldn't have needed to leave their house .

Which Roadblocks, checkpoints did they have to go through ?

Are you just imagining they had to go through Roadblocks and checkpoints ?

Nope, just as free as US interstates. I picked Hebron.

Exiting the Hebron/Bethlehem area toward Jerusalem, Checkpoint 300, manned by border guards and IDF. Heavily armed, natch'.

The the exact number of active checkpoints is not disclosed by Israel "for security reasons", but include flying-fox/patter-stops, and temporary roadblocks along the road varies dynamically depending on military closures, security status, and the specific route taken.

Then we get to the internal territorial checkpoint. I wonder if Israelis go through all this nonsense.

Crossing times for Palestinians vary widely. It can take anywhere from several hours to days at active checkpoints, or face indefinite delays and complete closures depending on strict military permits and security clearances.

Fun, eh? Fancy a vacay?

37 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Nope, just as free as US interstates. I picked Hebron.

Exiting the Hebron/Bethlehem area toward Jerusalem, Checkpoint 300, manned by border guards and IDF. Heavily armed, natch'.

The the exact number of active checkpoints is not disclosed by Israel "for security reasons", but include flying-fox/patter-stops, and temporary roadblocks along the road varies dynamically depending on military closures, security status, and the specific route taken.

Then we get to the internal territorial checkpoint. I wonder if Israelis go through all this nonsense.

Crossing times for Palestinians vary widely. It can take anywhere from several hours to days at active checkpoints, or face indefinite delays and complete closures depending on strict military permits and security clearances.

Fun, eh? Fancy a vacay?

But She was from Jerusalem though .

She wouldnt need to travel from Hebron to Jerusalem .

Also, why would she need to travel anywhere ?

41 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Nope, just as free as US interstates. I picked Hebron.

Exiting the Hebron/Bethlehem area toward Jerusalem, Checkpoint 300, manned by border guards and IDF. Heavily armed, natch'.

The the exact number of active checkpoints is not disclosed by Israel "for security reasons", but include flying-fox/patter-stops, and temporary roadblocks along the road varies dynamically depending on military closures, security status, and the specific route taken.

Then we get to the internal territorial checkpoint. I wonder if Israelis go through all this nonsense.

Crossing times for Palestinians vary widely. It can take anywhere from several hours to days at active checkpoints, or face indefinite delays and complete closures depending on strict military permits and security clearances.

Fun, eh? Fancy a vacay?

There are numerous check points in Thailand , there was about 4 checkpoints from Masai to CM which Thais need to go through ,

Should all Thais get UK visas because they have to go through checkpoints ?

Or are Palestinians special cases ?

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

But She was from Jerusalem though .

She wouldnt need to travel from Hebron to Jerusalem .

Also, why would she need to travel anywhere ?

I think you must have traveled here, no? So why shouldn't she?

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

There are numerous check points in Thailand , there was about 4 checkpoints from Masai to CM which Thais need to go through ,

Should all Thais get UK visas because they have to go through checkpoints ?

Or are Palestinians special cases ?

Not at all the same. Thai police wave you through and are not carrying heavy weapons. You know well what Israelis do to Palestinians.

23 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Not at all the same. Thai police wave you through and are not carrying heavy weapons. You know well what Israelis do to Palestinians.

Thai Police dont carry heavy weapons ?

Right OK then

10 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Thai Police dont carry heavy weapons ?

Right OK then

This does not look like a simple roadside check to me.

On 7/27/2026 at 6:06 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Uh, family. Joining her husband. Sheesh, what's so special about you.

There's nothing special about me, that's why when I get refused a visa, its not reported on in the media ,

Whats so special about Therese Abdallah ,the women in this story ?

Edited July 29Jul 29 by Nick Carter icp

On 7/25/2026 at 7:58 PM, webfact said:

A Palestinian woman from East Jerusalem has been refused a UK visitor visa while her husband’s application was approved, forcing the couple to cancel plans to visit their son in London.

What did she do/say?

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

There's nothing special about me, that's why when I get refused a visa, its not reported on in the media ,

Whats so special about Therese Abdallah ,the women in this story ?

I'm going to step out on a limb here and say you've never been refused a visa, even though you support Israel. Neither have I.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

What did she do/say?

Does it matter? Do you care if she happened to stay in the UK? If so, why?

4 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I'm going to step out on a limb here and say you've never been refused a visa, even though you support Israel. Neither have I.

I did, i got refused entry into Thailand last year , which is even worse than a visa refusal .

Why wasn't I headline news ?

Why does Therese Abdallah get attention and not me ?

I'm appalled by the clear racism and sexism of the UK Labour government regarding this visa denial.

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

I did, i got refused entry into Thailand last year , which is even worse than a visa refusal .

Why wasn't I headline news ?

Why does Therese Abdallah get attention and not me ?

Forgot your re-entry permit, is it?