Manx residents/visitors serving in the IDF?

Summary

The requester asked the Cabinet Office for details on systems to identify Manx residents serving in the IDF and the legal mechanisms to prosecute them. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting the Customs and Immigration Division instead.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office confirmed it does not hold the requested information regarding IDF service identification or prosecution mechanisms.
• The authority advised the requester to contact the Customs and Immigration Division of Treasury for potential assistance.
• The response was issued on 26 September 2025 following a request received on 8 September 2025.
• The requester expressed concerns about local support for the IDF and the potential presence of war criminals on the island.
• The response outlined the right to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-09-08
• 2025-09-26
• 4919213
• 3
• 1
• +44 01624 686244
• +44 1624 685203

Original Request

There are a growing number of instances where authorities in various jurisdictions are identifying and arresting individuals who are actively or have previously served in the IDF and are therefore complicit in committing war crimes against the civilian Palestinian population. I understand the majority of nationals who have served in the IDF are able to travel freely and inconspicuously when they travel overseas, due to the use of dual nationality passports/citizenships and using alternative names. Furthermore, I have noticed on social media a relatively high level of local support for, and defending of the IDF's criminal actions here on the IOM and find it deeply disturbing that in what has always been such a peaceful and safe community, there are a significant number of bigoted individuals here publicly and shamelessly supporting the abuse, displacement, starving and murder of civilians (mostly women and children). Even more so disturbing that there may be perpetrators of these crimes walking among us in the general population here on the island. Please provide the following information, in the interest of the Manx general publics' safety: 1. Confirm details of what system/process is in place to identify if any Manx residents are travelling overseas to serve in the IDF, or if there are non-Manx residents serving in the IDF who are visiting/holidaying in the Isle of Man? 2. Confirm details of the mechanisms and administration of justice for dealing with such instances if an IDF serving individual is identified within the IOM's jurisdiction? Thank you

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 4919213 26 September 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 8 September 2025, which states:

"There are a growing number of instances where authorities in various jurisdictions are identifying and arresting individuals who are actively or have previously served in the IDF and are therefore complicit in committing war crimes against the civilian Palestinian population.
I understand the majority of nationals who have served in the IDF are able to travel freely and inconspicuously when they travel overseas, due to the use of dual nationality passports/citizenships and using alternative names.

Furthermore, I have noticed on social media a relatively high level of local support for, and defending of the IDF's criminal actions here on the IOM and find it deeply disturbing that in what has always been such a peaceful and safe community, there are a significant number of bigoted individuals here publicly and shamelessly supporting the abuse, displacement, starving and murder of civilians (mostly women and children). Even more so disturbing that there may be perpetrators of these crimes walking among us in the general population here on the island.

Please provide the following information, in the interest of the Manx general publics' safety:

1. Confirm details of what system/process is in place to identify if any Manx residents are travelling overseas to serve in the IDF, or if there are non- Manx residents serving in the IDF who are visiting/holidaying in the Isle of Man?

2. Confirm details of the mechanisms and administration of justice for dealing with such instances if an IDF serving individual is identified within the IOM's jurisdiction?

Thank you"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. To provide you with advice and assistance in line with section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act you 2 may wish to contact the Customs and Immigration Division of Treasury who may be able to help you.

Immigration Services Contact: +44 1624 685203 Email: immigration@gov.im

Or you may wish to submit a Freedom of Information request directly here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom- of-information-request/.

Please quote the reference number 4919213 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

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