VIDEO: Palestinian photo-journalist finally allowed into UK to tour Scotland

The 28-year-old acclaimed had hoped to be in Britain for a tour between June 1 and 21 to exhibit his work around Scotland and share his experiences in occupied Palestine.

Last week it emerged that the UK Visas and Immigration decided to refuse his visa application saying there was no proof of funding and that therefore they were not satisfied he was a genuine visitor and that he would not leave at the end of the proposed visit.

It said they were not satisfied that he would not undertake "prohibited activities" which included taking employment in the UK, studying, accessing medical treatment, or marrying or forming a civil partnership.

Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard, the SNP spokesperson on the Cabinet Office in the House of Commons who had been "annoyed and outraged" at the decision supported Mr Abu Rahma's original application for a visa which confirmed that the Network of Photographers for Palestine would be covering all his travel and subsistence expenses.

NOPFP raised over £2500 through two online crowdfunding appeals for the visit to pay for his travel, accommodation, living expenses and his visa application.

Mr Abu Rahma created a video to raise his objections to the UK government stance.

He said that the change of heart over the visa came after he faxed further financial details to the authorities, which he said he had already provided.

He felt the key to unlocking the UK door was the "many people stood with me, and people from the government".

He thanked the Herald and MPs such as Mr Sheppard for highlighting his plight.

"This is good," he said. "Finally, I can say that The British Embassy agreed to give me a visa to go to the UK and Scotland. After I received a call from them, asking me to send my passport to the embassy again.

"Living under the occupation, facing injustice every day, fighting for my rights and trying to change the situation we live in, fighting for our right to live as human beings - whatever difficulties we face we will never lose hope for justice and peace. All these things teach us to never give up. We must keep fighting for our rights.

"Now, after two years of trying to get a visa - and denied twice - to the UK and Scotland, [I can] go to my art Exhibitions to talk about my experiences as a Palestinian photojournalist, [about how I] lost two... beautiful cousins by the fire of the Israeli occupation, in non-violent demonstrations.

"Today I am happy to say, that there are still many people who care about the Palestinians and support our case and our right for freedom. I want to send my special thanks to those who worked really hard to help me."

His would-be host Phil Chetwynd, of the Network of Photographers for Palestine and treasurer of the cross party group on Palestine in the Scottish Parliament described it as an "interesting u-turn" "Not sure precisely how this came about although MPs, particularly Tommy Shephard, may have put pressure on home secretary Teresa May."

Mr Abu Rahma, an outspoken critic of the oppression and brutality he has witnessed in what he describes as occupied Palestinian territories was due to feature photos in his talks associated with his book Roots Run Deep which reveal what life is like in his homeland.

Last year, the photographer was refused entry to take part in an Edinburgh Festival Fringe event saying he had no proof of income or bank statements, despite having proved the Fringe was financially sponsoring him and paying for his accommodation.

It had already been anounced that he would attend the Solas Festival in Perth on June 19, as part of its Beyond Borders strand, to describe life on the front line of what he describes as Israeli occupation and talk about his work as a photo-journalist on the front line.

His photos – and his story – were to be presented by Mr Chetwynd.

He was also due to address meetings in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Stirling and Berwick-upon-Tweed He is now going to work out when he can come over to the UK.

The journalist took up photography following the death of his cousin, Baseem (below) who was shot dead by the Israeli Occupation Force during a peaceful demonstration in his home village of Bil’in, near Ramallah in 2009. Only two years later his other cousin, and Baseem's sister Jawaher, was also killed.

Campaigners raising money to allow the trip said the journalist vowed to used his camera as his weapon after two cousins were murdered by Israeli Occupation Forces.

Online petitions protest the decision, saying there was no valid reason for refusal attracted hundreds of signatures. A petition to the UK government received 431 signatories, and a separate petition was signed by nearly 1000.

A Home Office source confirmed that the visa application was reviewed after receipt of “additional information”.

The source added: “The decision to refuse has now been overturned and he will be issued with a visa once his passport is received.”