NHS doctor denies charges over alleged social media support for Hamas

An NHS doctor has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to alleged social media posts expressing support for Hamas, as well as offences concerning the alleged stirring up of racial hatred.

Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, 32, appeared at the Old Bailey in London by video link on Friday, where she entered not guilty pleas to six charges. Four relate to allegedly inviting or expressing support for Hamas, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK, while the remaining charges concern alleged written material and words said to have been threatening or abusive.

The charges relate to comments and other material allegedly published between July and December 2025. Aladwan was arrested at her home in Pilning, South Gloucestershire, and charged in March following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

The court has previously heard allegations concerning several social media posts. Prosecutors allege that in July 2025 Aladwan posted that she did not condemn Hamas or the October 7 attacks and also called for the end of the existence of Israel. The allegations have not been proven and Aladwan denies the charges against her.

A further charge concerns a post allegedly published on October 7, 2025, the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Prosecutors allege that an image of a bulldozer was accompanied by words praising what was described as Palestinian resistance. Another charge relates to material allegedly published on December 31.

Aladwan also denies an offence relating to written material alleged to have stirred up racial hatred and a further charge concerning threatening or abusive words. Earlier court proceedings heard that one of the allegations relates to comments allegedly made during a protest in King Charles Street, Westminster, in July 2025.

The doctor, who is British Palestinian and has worked as a trainee in trauma and orthopaedics, has previously denied making racist or hateful comments. She was suspended from practising medicine for 15 months by a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel in November 2025 while a General Medical Council investigation continued.

The criminal proceedings are separate from the professional regulatory process concerning her fitness to practise. The GMC’s guidance states that doctors are entitled to hold and express political opinions, but must balance freedom of expression with its potential effect on patients and public confidence in the medical profession. Doctors are also required not to use social media to abuse, discriminate against, bully, harass or deliberately target individuals or groups.

The case comes amid wider debate about the boundaries between political expression, professional responsibilities and potentially unlawful speech by healthcare professionals. The GMC has previously stressed that doctors have the same right as other citizens to political opinions and campaigning, including in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, while making clear that they remain subject to the law and professional standards governing their conduct.

Aladwan has been granted continued bail and is due to face trial at Bristol Crown Court from March 15, 2027. Until then, the allegations remain unproven and she is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Stay informed with the stories shaping health and social care.