2 British tourists told to leave India over 'Free Palestine' stickers

Indian authorities have ordered a British couple to leave the country after accusing them of pasting "Free Palestine" stickers in a temple town in Rajasthan.

Police said on Monday that Lewis Gabriel D and Anushi Emma Christine breached the conditions of their tourist visas by taking part in political activity while in India.

According to officials, a complaint was filed on 21 January alleging that the pair had placed stickers at several locations in Pushkar, a popular tourist destination in western India. The stickers reportedly carried messages such as "Free Palestine" and "Boycott Israel."

Additional superintendent of police Rajesh Meena told The Times of India that engaging in political expression that could be seen as disrespectful to other countries violates visa regulations. Speaking separately to India Today, he said authorities closely monitor the conduct of foreign nationals and would take firm action, including deportation and blacklisting, against anyone found breaking visa rules.

Police said the state's criminal investigation department issued a notice to the couple on Monday under the Immigration and Foreigners Act of 2025, cancelling their visas and instructing them to leave India immediately.

Pushkar is a well-known stop for Israeli tourists, particularly those travelling after completing military service. Local media reports say the town currently hosts around 2,000 Israeli visitors, many of whom gather at businesses connected to Chabad, an international Hasidic Jewish organisation.

Slogans calling for the liberation of Palestine have gained global momentum since Israel launched a major military offensive on Gaza in October 2023. The assault has killed at least 71,800 Palestinians and left much of the territory in ruins. The war followed a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken captive.

Despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States that came into force last October, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued, with roughly 500 additional deaths reported.

India has avoided openly criticising Israel's actions in Gaza, reflecting closer ties between the two countries under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government. Israel has become one of India's top arms suppliers, and Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Israel later this month, according to Israeli ambassador Reuven Azar.

At international forums, however, New Delhi has consistently voiced support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Meanwhile, Israel has permitted only five critically ill Palestinian patients to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing after it reopened on Monday. Earlier reports suggested that up to 50 patients, each accompanied by two relatives, would be allowed to exit daily under the ceasefire agreement.

The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 18,000 injured people in Gaza are still awaiting medical treatment, while the local health ministry puts the figure at over 20,000. Unicef says more than 3,000 of them are children.