Woman arrested after allegedly ‘calling Hamas attacks beautiful and inspiring’

A 22-year-old woman has been arrested after she allegedly "called the Hamas terror attacks on Israel beautiful and inspiring” at a UK university.

Janin Barghouti is alleged to have made the claims during a public speech at a protest in Brighton on Saturday (October 7). The gathering had been organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Barghouti, who is an elected women’s officer at the University of Sussex students’ union, described herself as a Palestinian. Today (Friday, October 12) she was arrested by counter-terror police.

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According to the Mail Online, Barghouti said: “Yesterday was a victory. For freedom fighters to break out of a 15-year blockade so successfully under the inhuman genocide of Israel was so beautiful and inspiring to see.

“It shows the world that we will always fight and always resist and we need to celebrate these acts of resistance because this was a success. Revolutionary violence initiated by Palestinians is not terrorism – it is self-defence.”

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said a 22-year-old woman from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation. Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with footage of the demonstration to contact them.

Superintendent Petra Lazar from Sussex Police said: “After reviewing footage from the protest event held in Brighton on Sunday 8 October, the matter was investigated by CTPSE. We will continue to support them as they conduct their investigation.

“We are aware that the ongoing conflict in Israel and the border with Gaza is generating public concern and is impacting communities globally and locally, and we extend our support to those affected in Sussex. Sussex Police has increased visibility across parts of Sussex to provide an increased presence and reassurance to our local communities.

“We recognise there is the potential for increased tensions and are engaging and working with communities and partners to ensure people feel safe and protected. Anyone who experiences threatening behaviour or is worried about their safety is urged to contact police.”

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A University of Sussex spokesperson said: “Following comments made by a student at a demonstration in Brighton on October 8 2023, the university initiated an investigation, in line with our procedures. The university takes very seriously our obligations to support students and staff and to provide a safe and secure environment in which to work, live and study, and will continue to take action to this end.

“This case is now a live counter-terrorism police investigation and as such it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.”

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