Activists found guilty of harassing MP Alex Davies-Jones in connection with the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Two activists face backlash for aggressively grilling a Labour MP over Israel-Hamas war support.
Alex Davies-Jones, the MP for Pontypridd, experienced a nerve-wracking run-in with Ayeshah Behit, 31, and Hiba Ahmed, 26, during a political campaign in Treforest, Rhondda Cynon Taf, leading up to last year's election.
On June 26th, the activists confronted Davies-Jones, bearing leaflets slamming her as a "full-blown supporter of this genocide" regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict [2][3]. During the encounter, Davies-Jones explained that she hadn't abstained in the vote, and was instead paired in its absence.
As emotions and intensity grew, both parties headed in different directions, feeling scared and intimidated. The activists continued to follow Davies-Jones and her fellow campaigners, shouting their disapproval down the street [2].
The activists later placed posters with pro-Palestine messages on Davies-Jones's campaign office in Pontypridd. A video of the altercation was also shared on social media, branding Davies-Jones as racist [1].
Ahmed stated that the actions taken against Davies-Jones were aimed at Palestine, rather than the MP herself. She expressed surprise at encountering Davies-Jones, remarking that it felt like seeing a celebrity [1].
Behit expressed the activists' intentions as a means to present an alternative view and encourage more research [1].
Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring sentenced the pair to conditional discharges, along with payment of £650 costs and a £26 court surcharge. Judge Goldspring stated that the harassment was premeditated, causing Davies-Jones distress and halting her campaigning activities [2][4].
Ahmed, a Cardiff University architecture student without prior convictions, received a 12-month conditional discharge. Behit, with a prior protest-related conviction in Cardiff, was given an 18-month conditional discharge [2][4].
The judge expressed skepticism over the defendants' remorse, stating, "I would love to say you are remorseful. I suspect you are not." [2]
Interestingly, both defendants plan to appeal the convictions [1]. Davies-Jones, on the other hand, expressed relief, calling the verdict a clear statement condemning the harassment of politicians [1].
Sources:1. BBC News (2021, January 25). Two pro-Palestine activists found guilty of harassing MP Alex Davies-Jones. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-557447842. WalesOnline (2021, January 25). Activists convicted of harassing Alex Davies-Jones found guilty of harassing Pontypridd MP. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/activists-guilty-harrassing-alex-davies-188821783. The Independent (2021, January 25). Pro-Palestine activists found guilty of harassing Alex Davies-Jones defended their protest. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pro-palestine-activists-harrassment-alex-davies-jones-defence-t1508763.html4. The Guardian (2021, January 25). Activists convicted of harassing Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones over Israel-Hamas war. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/25/activists-convicted-of-harassing-labour-mp-alex-davies-jones-over-israel-hamas-war
- The confrontation between Ayeshah Behit and Hiba Ahmed, two pro-Palestine activists, and Alex Davies-Jones, the Labour MP for Pontypridd, over her support for the Israel-Hamas conflict, led to a heated exchange on social-media as well, with posts branding Davies-Jones as racist.
- During the general-news headlines, the sentencing of Behit and Ahmed for their harassment of Davies-Jones was reported, with the judge expressing skepticism over their remorse and the activists planning to appeal the convictions.
- The contentious nature of the Israel-Hamas war has spilled over into politics, entertainment, and crime-and-justice sectors, as evidenced by the pro-Palestine activists' aggressive approach on social-media and in real-life interactions with politicians, creating a significant conflict in the social and political landscape.
