“Keyboard warrior” who called to “eradicate every Zionist” sentenced to jail
A man who published antisemitic posts online, including one that called to “eradicate every Zionist,” was sentenced to a twelve months’ imprisonment yesterday in court.
Mohammed Nafees Ahmed, 32, of Tipton, was sentenced at the Old Bailey for eight offences of supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation. The offences related to several posts from his X account, including one that read, “Your fool, long live Palestine long live hamas [sic],” in response to then-Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s condemnation of attacks carried out by the terrorist group in Israel on 7th October 2023
Another post, published only four days after the attacks, read: “Wipe them off the map. Death to Israel and America.” Other posts celebrated Israeli soldiers being killed.
In response to a post by Sir Keir Starmer celebrating Chanukah in December 2023, he wrote, “You Zionist, your time will come,” accompanied by an emoji of a knife.
He also directed posts to other political figures, including President Joe Biden, to whom he wrote “Parish Juda,” and Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Replying to Suella Braverman MP’s criticism of the Rishi Suank’s failure to address skyrocketing antisemitism and extremism in Britain following the attacks, Mr Ahmed wrote: “You still alive you witch.”
According to prosecutor Peter Ratliff, Mr Ahmed had also targeted a Jewish religious leader in his online activity.
It has also been reported that he described a report that described the murder by Hamas terrorists of entire families in their homes as “lies” and “fake news”.
Mr Ahmed, who previously worked as an accountant, was arrested on 20th March this year and charged on 16th September.
He pleaded guilty to the eight terrorist offences in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in October.
His lawyer argued that he admitted that his actions were “misguided and ill-thought-out” and that he described himself as an “idiot”. He also referred to himself as a “keyboard warrior”.
His lawyer also said that Mr Ahmed knew little of Hamas and that his posts came in response to seeing images of injured children in Gaza.
Sentencing, Judge Nigel Lickley KC remarked: “I am satisfied you had terrorist motivations. I am satisfied you knew Hamas was a proscribed organisation despite you saying you were not aware.”
He added, “Your words played a part in a worldwide dialogue at the time. Your behaviour cannot be overlooked,” concluding that Mr Ahmed’s offences were so serious that immediate imprisonment was the only option.
Image credit: Counter Terrorism Policing in the West Midlands
