The Home Secretary has been commended after banning an Islamist preacher who claimed that Israel perpetrated 9/11 and praised Hamas’ “morality of resistance” from entering the UK.
Shadee Elmasry, born and raised in the US, was due to travel to the UK this past weekend for a speaking tour, with engagements in Birmingham, Bolton and Ilford.
This afternoon, however, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region welcomed a decision by the Home Secretary to prevent Elmasry from entering the UK, saying: “This action sends a clear and important message that those who promote hatred, extremism or violence have no place in our society. At a time when Jewish communities are experiencing increased levels of intimidation and hostility, it is vital that the government uses all available powers to protect public safety and social cohesion.
“We once again express our gratitude to the Home Secretary and the Home Office for recognising the serious risks posed by this individual. Given the extensive evidence of extremist content posted by the individual on his social media, our concern was that if the event had proceeded, it could have exploited the freedoms in this country to spread division, hate and undermine our shared democratic values.”
On 8 October 2023, after Hamas had invaded Israel, Elmasry responded by saying on social media: “They are all in this (fake or real) state of shock that the people of Gaza finally punched back (after 50 years).” In response to someone claiming that those who had carried out mass murder in Israel were not Hamas, but rather “rogue elements from Gaza taking advantage of Hamas’ hostage-taking operation to get back at their Israeli oppressors”, Elmasry responded by saying “Hypothetically even it was Hamas, it’s conceivable and maybe even expected that a legitamate [sic] resistent [sic] movements will make condemnable mistakes or go to excesses every once in a while. That doesn’t take anything away from the morality of their resistance.”
In video footage of one of Elmasry’s sermons, he can be seen saying: “Today is 9/11, which is the day in which Netanyahu and the Mossad initiated and fooled the American people by taking down the World Trade Centres. And that right now if you have any brain cells, you know that that’s the dominant theory – that’s not even the dominant theory, that’s facts, basically. “
Last week, the Conservative MP Nick Timothy highlighted Elmasry’s views, writing on social media: “An American Islamist preacher who praises Hamas is booked for a UK tour next month. This is not rational debate. It’s giving a platform to incitement and violent extremism. Will the Government stop him coming here?”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism echoed the sentiment, stating “It is obvious that this man has no place touring the UK. Dr Shadee Elmasry’s framing of Hamas’ 7th October terrorist atrocities as ‘resistance’ is sickening and smacks of the same insidious rhetoric that plagues so many of our streets and campuses. We need fewer extremists in Britain, not more.”
Following the news of the ban, a spokesperson for CAA said: “The Home Secretary has made the right decision. There is enough extremism in this country already without having to let more potential purveyors into the country. Entry into the UK is a privilege, and it must be withheld from anyone who might radicalise impressionable people here. We hope that she will continue to use her powers whenever such a risk arises.”
Elmasry’s trip had been coordinated by the Birmingham-based Global Relief Trust. In 2023, a Jewish Chronicle investigation accused the charity of employing a manager in Gaza who was simultaneously a Lieutenant Colonel in the terror group, holding the rank of chief of the Operations and Emergency Command in Hamas’s Military Medical Service.
