On Tuesday, a London court ordered a British policeman to carry out public service work for 18 months for broadcasting two images in support of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
In early May, Mohammed Adel (26 years old), a member of the West Yorkshire Police in northern England, pleaded guilty to two charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Shortly after the unprecedented attack by Hamas inside Israel on October 7, Adel posted a photo on WhatsApp showing a fighter from the movement, accompanied by a statement by Muhammad al-Deif, the commander-in-chief of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement.
He also shared another photo in November, this time accompanied by a statement by Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Two of his colleagues reported to the police command, and he was arrested on November 6, and his work was suspended.
When sentencing, Judge Paul Goldsmith said that depriving him of his liberty, even with a suspended sentence, would be “disproportionate”.
Tanya Wilkins, of West Yorkshire Police, responded: “Given the outcome of this case, we will now commence disciplinary proceedings.”
“We have been clear with all our staff that it is inappropriate for anyone working in the police to be a member of or show support for a banned organisation,” she added.
The United Kingdom bans the Hamas movement, and also includes the Al-Qassam Brigades on the list of banned “terrorist” organizations.
Since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, British cities – especially the capital, London – have witnessed several marches and mass demonstrations in support of Palestine and demanding a permanent ceasefire, a halt to genocide, and an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
The British continued to show support for the Palestinian people, despite the government’s pro-Israel stance.
