NHS doctor accused of supporting Hamas shouts ‘game on’ as she addresses crowd of supporters outside court after being released on bail
An NHS doctor charged with posting on social media in support of Hamas shouted ‘game on’ today after being released on bail.
Dr Rahmeh Aladwan appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court where she indicated not guilty pleas to four counts of inviting support for the proscribed group.
The court heard the charges date from July 23 to December 31 last year, and relate to comments or material posted online.
The 31-year-old also indicated not guilty pleas for stirring up racial hatred using words or behaviour at a speech she allegedly made at a protest on July 21 in King Charles Street, Westminster, and stirring up racial hatred through the publishing and distributing of written material on November 19.
Following the hearing, Aladwan was greeted by more than a dozen protesters waving Palestinian flags, carrying placards and banging a drum.
After being handed a microphone, she directly addressed the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, shouting: ‘Let me tell you again Wesley Streeting, game on! Game on! Free Palestine!’
Dr Rahmeh Aladwan addressing a crowd outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court this afternoon
The alleged incidents, which saw the doctor (pictured) charged under the Terrorism Act, happened on four separate occasions – July 23, August 23, October 7 and December 31
Aladwan was arrested at her home in Pilning, south Gloucestershire, yesterday morning for allegedly breaching police bail conditions imposed after previous arrests, police said.
She was taken to a central London police station and charged with the six offences.
Aladwan, who is British Palestinian and appeared in the dock wearing a beige hoodie and a black jacket, was released on conditional bail ahead of a next hearing on April 24 at the Old Bailey.
She spoke only to confirm her identity and indicate her pleas.
Carl Kelvin prosecuting said: ‘Between July and December she posted a large quantity of material on social media and took part in a number of protests against Israel and in support of people in Gaza.’
One of Aladwan’s posts called Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis a ‘genocidal murderer,’ it is claimed.
She also allegedly said Mr Streeting taking money from the Israeli lobby was a sign of ‘Jewish supremacy’.
Aladwan indicated not guilty pleas to four counts of inviting support for the proscribed group
A small crowd of supporters outside the court waved Palestine flags and banged a drum
District Judge John McGrava said today: ‘There is clearly a very substantial public interest in this case.’
Aladwan is also currently the subject of an investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC).
In November she was suspended from practice for 15 months.
The GMC’s social media guidelines state clinical personnel have ‘freedom of belief, privacy and expression’.
It adds they must be ‘balanced with the possible impact on other people’s rights and interests’.
Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251 hostages on October 7, 2023.
A UN report found Hamas attackers raped women at the Nova music festival site, used ‘sexualised torture’ against hostages and raped women’s corpses.
Aladwan will next appear at the Old Bailey on April 24.