Terror police have arrested a woman on suspicion of supporting Hamas at a rally in Brighton.
The 22-year-old was arrested after counter-terrorism police reviewed footage from a pro-Palestinian demonstration last Sunday.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East said the woman from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, namely Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Hamas), under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is designated as a terrorist group by the UK, the United States, and the European Union.
The woman remains in police custody.
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with footage of the demonstration is urged to contact them.
Superintendent Petra Lazar from Sussex Police said: “After reviewing footage from the protest event held in Brighton on Sunday, October 8, the matter was investigated by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (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.”
A video of the rally at the Clock Tower on Sunday shows Hanin Barghouti, an elected women’s officer at the University of Sussex’s students’ union, telling a crowd of people that the attacks on Israel were “beautiful and inspiring to see”.
She said: “It shows us as Palestinians and it shows the world that we will always fight and we will always resist, and we need to celebrate these acts of violence because this is a success.
“Revolutionary violence initiated by Palestinians is not terrorism, it is self-defence.”
The demonstration came a day after Hamas launched attacks into Israel, killing hundreds of people and abducting others. One of the targets was a music festival.
Following the rally, the Brighton and Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign - who organised the protest, said: "We campaign for justice and freedom for the Palestinian people.
"We campaign for an end to Israel's brutal occupation and apartheid. We have never advocated violence.
"This weekend's tragic ongoing events will sadly only worsen things for Palestinians."
We campaign and work for justice and freedom for the Palestinian people.
— Brighton PSC (@BrightonPSC) October 8, 2023
We campaign for an end to Israel's brutal occupation and apartheid.
We have never advocated violence.
This weekend's tragic ongoing events will sadly only worsen things for Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/svFqKC6bJE
Around 1,300 Israelis and more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict broke out on Saturday.
The Argus has repeatedly contacted the University of Sussex Students’ Union for comment but has received no response.
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