Home Office rejects Palestinian Jerusalemite woman’s UK visa but approves husband’s
8 reported
A Palestinian Jerusalemite woman, Therese Abdallah, had her UK visitor visa rejected by the Home Office while her husband’s visa was approved, according to a report by The Guardian. The couple’s son, Karim Abdallah, who has lived in the UK since 2019, said the planned trip for his parents to visit him in London was cancelled. The Home Office stated in a refusal letter that it was not satisfied Therese was a “genuine visitor” and that her UK ties outweighed her home country ties. Therese, a 69-year-old retired English teacher, had previously traveled to the UK for academic visits without visa problems. Her husband, Ghassan Abdallah, a psychologist, had his visa approved through the same application process. The Home Office said it does not routinely comment on individual cases and that all visa applications are assessed on their merits.
What’s reported
Therese Abdallah, 69, a retired English teacher and Palestinian Jerusalemite, had her UK visitor visa rejected by the Home Office.
Her husband, Ghassan Abdallah, a psychologist, had his visa approved through the same process.
Their son, Karim Abdallah, has lived in the UK since 2019 and was planning to host them.
The Home Office refusal letter stated: “I note that your UK ties out weight (sic) your home country ties” and “I am not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that you are a genuine visitor.”
Therese had a UK visa application refused in 2019 based on a technical issue about submitting a bank statement in Hebrew.
She was told she had no right to an appeal or administrative review of the decision.
Therese has another son, an oncologist, who lives in East Jerusalem with his family.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We do not routinely comment on individual cases. All visa applications are assessed on their individual merits and the evidence provided.”
Key figures
Therese Abdallah, 69, retired English teacher, visa applicant
Ghassan Abdallah, psychologist, visa applicant
Karim Abdallah, son, UK resident since 2019
Home Office spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
