UK Investigates Woman Over Trip to Israel

A 44-year-old British woman, Holly Passmore, found herself under investigation by the UK's counter-terrorism unit following an anonymous tip related to her educational trip to Israel and subsequent support for the country. According to The Telegraph, Passmore, from County Durham in northeast England, was referred to a government program designed to prevent extremism. This program assesses individuals based on security concerns or the potential for radicalization.

Police officers visited Passmore's home on July 4, 2025, after the referral cited her support for Israel stemming from an educational trip organized by the Israeli embassy in London. Documents obtained by Passmore indicated that the referral exaggerated her involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, partly due to her decision to travel to Israel. The referral also alleged she had mental health issues and was vulnerable to harmful influence, claims Passmore vehemently denied.

A police intelligence report seen by The Telegraph explicitly stated that supporting Israel or traveling there does not constitute a counter-terrorism concern. Passmore, who is not Jewish, recounted that officers questioned her about her ties to Israel, future travel plans, interest in Jewish topics, and even whether she had visited Auschwitz.

Passmore, who is studying for a master's degree in Holocaust studies at the University of Haifa while caring for her son with severe autism, disagreed with how her condition and vulnerability were described in the referral. After she complained, two officers reportedly visited her again, clarifying she was not considered a terrorist or extremist and encouraging her to stop discussing the matter online. She later discovered that shortly after her trip, she was classified in her medical records as a "vulnerable adult," a designation that was later removed without explanation.