AN MP has commended police for “rooting out” a constable from Bradford who shared support for terrorist group Hamas.
Mohammed Adil, 26, who is from the Wibsey area, pleaded guilty to two terror offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
The West Yorkshire Police officer, who is currently suspended from the force, shared two images on his WhatsApp stories in support of Hamas – a banned group in the UK – just weeks after the October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw another 250 taken hostage.
Shipley MP Philip Davies said: “This is deeply concerning.
“For a serving Police Officer who is employed to uphold the rule of law to be publicly supporting a terrorist organisation which was responsible for the biggest killing of Jews in one day since the Holocaust beggars belief.
"I commend the Police for rooting him out and ensuring he has been prosecuted, and I very much hope West Yorkshire Police will now take steps to ensure there are no other rotten apples in their ranks, as the public need to be reassured about that."
Prosecutor Bridget Fitzpatrick told the court on Thursday morning that Adil’s messages showed a Hamas fighter wearing a Hamas headband.
The image posted on October 31 had writing on it saying: “Today is the time for the Palestinian people to rise, set their paths straight and establish an independent Palestinian state.”
It was said to be a quote from the leader of Hamas’s military wing, Mohammed Deif.
The image on November 4 had another message on it, saying: “We will hold accountable all those who occupied our lands and Allah will hold accountable all those who remained silent against this occupation and oppression.”
The second quote was said to be from Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for the Al-Qassam brigade – which is Hamas’s military wing.
A Jewish Leadership Council spokesperson said: “Hamas are an antisemitic terrorist group who perpetrated the deadliest attack against Jewish people since the Holocaust.
“They are rightly proscribed in the UK and there can be no excuse for showing support.
“It will be deeply concerning for many people to see a serving police officer guilty of such an offence and we thank the authorities for taking this matter seriously by ensuring it is prosecuted.”
Two of Adil’s colleagues reported to their superior officers that they had viewed images posted by Adil on his WhatsApp stories which caused them “concern”, the prosecution said.
Adil had 1,092 contacts on his WhatsApp at the time who would have been able to access the images for 24 hours, the court heard.
Adil was arrested on November 6 and had his mobile seized.
He answered no comment to all questions during his interview.
Adil was given conditional bail and the case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
He will be sentenced on June 4 at the same court.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article