Two British tourists have been ordered to leave India after authorities accused them of breaching visa conditions by placing pro-Palestine posters and stickers in public spaces across the western Indian state of Rajasthan.
The two tourists, identified by Indian officials as Louis Gabriel Dee and Annushie Emma Christine, were travelling on tourist visas when police brought them in for questioning over alleged forbidden political activity.
Foreign nationals on tourist visas are strictly prohibited from engaging in political activity.
Police allege that the couple displayed posters and stickers expressing solidarity with Palestine and criticising Israel’s war on Gaza in several public locations in the historic cities of Ajmer and Pushkar.
The two cities draw large numbers of international tourists each year, with Pushkar in particular being a popular destination among Israeli tourists, a factor local media noted when reporting on the case.
Pro-Palestine slogans
According to police, the Rajasthan state Intelligence Department received information on January 21 about political posters with pro-Palestine slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Boycott Israel”.
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Local police said the posters and stickers were placed on walls, signboards and other public property, and also contained messages condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza and expressing support for Palestine. Similar material was also discovered in Pushkar.
“After receiving information from the intelligence wing, we traced the two foreign nationals and questioned them,” a senior police officer in Ajmer told reporters. “They were found to have violated the conditions of their visas.”
Tourists and political activism
Under Indian immigration law, foreign nationals entering the country on tourist visas are barred from participating in political campaigns, protests, demonstrations or advocacy of any kind. Officials said the couple’s actions amounted to political activity and therefore constituted a clear violation of visa rules.
“They were here as tourists, but they were involved in political messaging,” the officer said. “That is not allowed. As a result, they were instructed to leave the country.”
Despite this, on the renowned “Hummus Trail” across popular travel destinations of India, Israeli and IDF propaganda regarding the genocide in Gaza and the hostages, brought by Israeli tourists and IDF reservists, can be seen all over.
Municipal authorities, accompanied by police, removed the pro-Palestine posters and stickers shortly after the investigation began.
Local media reports suggest the two British nationals had been staying in Pushkar for an extended period and were believed to be in a relationship, though officials have not confirmed how long they had been in India.
The couples visas were revoking by Indian authorities under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Indian Israeli ties
The case has drawn attention amid heightened sensitivity in India over political expression by foreign visitors. Since Israel launched its assault on Gaza in October 2023, India has continued to deepen its diplomatic and military ties with Israel
At the same time, protests in support of Palestine have taken place in several Indian cities, largely organised by local Muslim groups and student activists. While Indian citizens are legally permitted to protest, authorities have shown little tolerance for similar actions by foreign nationals.
Human rights organisations have criticised the use of visa regulations to suppress political expression, warning that such measures risk impeding freedom of speech on global human rights issues.
Neither Dee nor Christine has issued a public statement, and it remains unclear whether they intend to challenge the decision.
The restriction and crackdown on the two pro-Palestine tourists raises further questions over the crucial role of Israelis in India’s tourism economy, as well as ties between New Delhi and Tel Aviv deepening in recent years as Israel and India have become key defence partners.
A significant portion of Indian tourism is made up by Israeli’s and IDF soldiers who seek a tropical holiday following their service in Gaza, with India being renowned for having a tourism route known as the “Hummus Trail”, where Israeli’s make up the majority of tourists.
The Hummus Trail includes Goa, Himachal, Dharamkot, Pushkar and Kasol and is built around Israeli backpacker culture. Each year up to 30-50,000 Israelis travel to India, with some reports claiming up to 80,000.
