Doctor in court accused of supporting Hamas

An NHS consultant neurologist accused of posting her support on social media for the proscribed organisation Hamas has appeared in court.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Dr Rehiana Ali, 46, from Bradford, was also accused of stirring up racial hatred.

The hearing was told that Ali was alleged to have shown support for Hamas in three posts on X and one WhatsApp message between October 2024 and March 2025.

She is charged with four offences of expressing an opinion or belief in support of a proscribed organisation, as well as being reckless as to whether it would encourage support for Hamas.

She also faces seven charges of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred.

Ali, representing herself, refused to indicate pleas to the charges, calling them "politically motivated".

District Judge Sam Goozee said Ali would next appear at the Old Bailey on 25 September and released her on unconditional bail.

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