Latest news with #British-Palestinian
Middle East Eye
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
German court rules ban preventing Palestinian surgeon from speaking is illegal
A Berlin court has ruled that a gag order preventing award-winning British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sittah from speaking in Germany is unlawful, Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday. Abu Sittah was detained and deported at Berlin Airport in April 2024 when he was on his way to give a talk at the Palestine Congress. Abu Sittah is currently Rector of the University of Glasgow.
Roya News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
German court overturns speech ban on British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta
A German court ruled today, Tuesday, that the ban preventing British-Palestinian surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta from speaking in Germany was unlawful. The Administrative Court of Berlin found that authorities had no legal grounds to impose the prohibition. Dr. Abu Sitta, who gained international prominence for his work in Gaza hospitals following the escalation of the genocide in October 2023, had been denied entry to Germany in April 2024 when he attempted to attend the Palestine Congress in Berlin. Authorities had alleged that he sympathized with Hamas and posed a risk of committing a criminal offense or endangering Germany's democratic order. However, the Berlin Administrative Court's decision stated there was no reasonable expectation that Dr. Abu Sitta's statements would constitute a criminal offense or threaten public safety. The court found no statements by Abu Sitta since October 7, 2023, that were of a criminal nature or indicated support for terrorist organizations. The ruling also highlighted Dr. Abu Sitta's status as a historical eyewitness whose testimony has been heard by the International Criminal Court, emphasizing that this should have been considered by German authorities alongside his right to freedom of expression.
Middle East Eye
19-06-2025
- Health
- Middle East Eye
Palestinian NHS nurse takes legal action over rebuke for 'antisemitic' watermelon video call
A British-Palestinian NHS nurse is taking legal action against the UK health body after managers ordered him to remove a watermelon image used as his video call background. Ahmad Baker's employers at Whipps Cross Hospital in London said the image of the fruit could be considered as antisemitic, The Guardian reported on Thursday. According to the newspaper, Baker and two other employees said a ban on NHS employees displaying political or national symbols is discriminatory. They said the Barts Health NHS trust, which administers the hospital, had expressed solidarity with Ukraine after its invasion by Russia. "Being told that a still-life painting containing a watermelon could be perceived as antisemitic and being threatened with disciplinary action is deeply upsetting," Baker said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The watermelon has become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, as it shares its colours with the Palestinian flag and is harder for social media algorithms to censor. However, since the 7 October 2023 attacks by Palestinian fighters on southern Israel and the subsequent Israeli war on Gaza, there has been widespread censorship of Palestinian symbols within western institutions. Such symbols are claimed to be antisemitic by supporters of Israel, an accusation dismissed by supporters of the Palestinian cause as an attempt to conflate criticism of Israel with hatred of Jewish people. 'Shut up and fall in line': Israel, Palestine and the dawn of a new censorship in western art Read More » In October 2023, Middle East Eye reported that NHS staff were fearful of expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, even in their personal lives, because of potential repercussions from managers. Medical workers said the threats of being referred to the General Medical Council, the government's Prevent anti-terrorism strategy, intimidation from the media and statements made by British politicians made them hesitant to speak up. Many of those who spoke to MEE say the intimidation began when a social media account called @NHSWATCH1948 emerged and began urging people to report any healthcare workers who posted anything pro-Palestine. Mohamed Amir, a Palestinian origin doctor working for the NHS, said he noticed a difference in the way staff were allowed to express views on the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine. "If you look at it relative to the Ukraine war, it makes you wonder why Palestine is seen as so controversial, because we've had fundraisers at the front of the hospital raising money for Ukraine, and our screensavers had a pro-Ukraine image," Amir said.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gaza Flotilla mission: Did alleged Hamas operative plan Greta Thunberg's failed voyage? Report claims Zaher Birawi was key organiser
Alleged 'Hamas operative' organized Greta Thunberg's failed attempt to break Gaza blockade (Photo: X) A British-Palestinian journalist long accused of having ties to Hamas reportedly played a leading role in launching the aid ship that carried climate activist Greta Thunberg and others, before it was intercepted by Israeli forces. According to a report in The Telegraph, Zaher Birawi was involved in the high-profile launch of the Madleen, a vessel aimed at challenging Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. The ship set sail on June 1 under the banner of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carrying 12 international activists, including Thunberg. Birawi is the head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza and a founding member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. He was present at Madleen's departure and praised those aboard for their courage in attempting to deliver aid to Palestinian civilians. The mission included supplies such as baby formula and staple food items like rice. The Israeli military detained the ship in what Birawi described as 'a piracy operation in international waters and 150 nautical miles from Palestinian waters.' He added, 'The Freedom Flag Alliance demands international intervention to ensure their safety and release.' Although Birawi has denied any involvement in terrorist activities, he has been the subject of long-standing allegations. In 2013, Israel labelled him a Hamas operative based in Europe. His non-profit, EuroPal Forum, which supports Palestinian rights, was designated a terrorist organisation by Israeli authorities in 2021. A 2012 photograph of Birawi attending an event alongside Ismail Haniyeh, the former Hamas political chief, has often been cited as evidence of his alleged links. However, Birawi has consistently maintained his innocence. 'My legal team relied primarily on the fact that there has never been any legal sentence passed against me by any official authority in any state anywhere in the world, and that never have I been found to have been involved in any illegal acts which could be deemed within the scope of terrorism crimes,' he said after winning compensation from NatWest for allegedly listing him on a terrorism database. More recently, Labour MP Christian Wakeford used parliamentary privilege to label Birawi 'a serious national security risk' and accused him of acquiring British citizenship 'through the use of fake documents' following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Birawi dismissed the accusations as 'baseless.' Neither the United Kingdom nor the United States, which both list Hamas as a terrorist organisation, has taken legal action against Birawi. The EuroPal Forum has also rejected claims of terrorist connections, arguing that it is being unfairly targeted for its advocacy work. Birawi has remained a vocal critic of Israeli policies in Gaza and has led numerous demonstrations in London. He also condemned the Israeli Defence Forces for their seizure of the Madleen and continued to call for international pressure to end the blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has been in place since Hamas took control in 2007.
New York Post
09-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Alleged ‘Hamas operative' organized Greta Thunberg's failed attempt to break Gaza blockade: report
A British-Palestinian journalist who has long-been accused of being a 'Hamas operative' served as a key figure who helped launch the aid vessel carrying Greta Thunberg and other international activists who were detained by Israel, according to a new report. Zaher Birawi, 63, the head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza and founding member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was at the launch of the Madleen ship a week ago as he praised Thunberg and the other activists traveling to challenge Israel's blockade on the Palestinian enclave. Birawi, who also heads the EuroPal Forum nonprofit to support Palestinians, has been repeatedly accused of having Hamas links, with a 2012 photograph showing him attending an event alongside slain Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, the Telegraph reported. 5 Zaher Birawi, 63, has been repeatedly accused of having links to the Hamas terrorist group. Facebook/Zaher Birawi 5 Birawi has backed several sailing missions to challenge Israel's blockade over Gaza. Facebook/Zaher Birawi Birawi, a vocal critic of Israel's policies in the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly denied the allegations that he has any links to terrorist crimes. There's no evidence to suggest Birawi has helped facilitate any of Hamas' crimes. The allegations first surfaced in 2013 when Israel identified him as a Hamas operative working in Europe, with his nonprofit labeled a terrorist organization in 2021 for alleged ties to the Palestinian terror group. The EuroPal Forum has strongly denied any terror links, claiming it was unfairly targeted for its work abroad advocating for Palestinian rights. Birawi was eventually awarded compensation when he sued the NatWest financial database for allegedly putting him on a terrorism watch list. 5 Zaher Birawi attended a 2012 forum with Pro-Palestinian activists who took a picture with then-Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh. Ministry of Strategic Affairs 'My legal team relied primarily on the fact that there has never been any legal sentence passed against me by any official authority in any state anywhere in the world, and that never have I been found to have been involved in any illegal acts which could be deemed within the scope of terrorism crimes,' Birawi said at the time. The Palestinian advocate was accused again of being 'a Hamas operative' by Labour MP Christian Wakeford following the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel. 5 Birawi helped lead demonstrations in London against the war in Gaza. In Pictures via Getty Images Wakeford used parliamentary privilege to slam Birawi as a 'serious national security risk' and accused him of obtaining British citizenship 'through the use of fake documents.' Birawi slammed Wakeford's claims as baseless. The UK, which like the US lists Hamas as a terrorist group, has not taken action against Birawi. Birawi did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. 5 Birawi has repeatedly slammed the allegations against him as baseless. Facebook/Zaher Birawi Birawi has spoken out against Israel's invasion of Gaza following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, with the advocate helping organize multiple protests in London against the war. His latest criticism was aimed at the Israel Defense Forces after the military detained the activists aboard the Madleen on Sunday. 'In a piracy operation in international waters and 150 nautical miles from Palestinian waters, the Israeli navy took control of the ship Madleen and abducted the allies on board,' he wrote over the weekend. 'The Freedom Flag Alliance demands international intervention to ensure their safety and release,' he added. The Madleen ship, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail on June 1 with 12 activists onboard, including Thunberg, a Swedish climate campaigner, and Irish actor Liam Cunningham. The group aboard the charity ship aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza's refugees, including much-needed baby formula and simple nutrition like rice. The IDF had repeatedly warned the ship to turn back, vowing that nothing will break the naval blockade in Gaza, which has existed since Hamas seized power in 2007.
