We begin tonight with breaking news from the United Kingdom, where a National Health Service doctor has been arrested following allegations that she celebrated Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel and made antisemitic statements online and at public protests.
Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 31-year-old NHS physician was taken into custody Tuesday morning at a residence in South Gloucestershire. The arrest relates to an ongoing investigation into suspected misuse of a public communications network, malicious communications, and incitement to racial hatred.
The doctor, identified as Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, is a junior medic training in trauma and orthopedic surgery. Video footage shared on social media appears to show officers informing her that she was being arrested for several offences connected to online posts and public remarks allegedly made in support of Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel.
In the footage, a police officer states that posts attributed to Dr Aladwan expressed approval of the attack, which involved the killing, kidnapping, and sexual violence against Israeli civilians. United Nations investigators have since concluded that Hamas militants committed rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence during the assault.
Dr Aladwan is also accused of delivering a speech at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London earlier this year that allegedly called for the eradication of Israel.
As she was arrested, Dr Aladwan appeared to challenge the action, suggesting she was being targeted for political reasons. Police have not commented on those claims.
The case has already drawn significant attention from medical regulators. The General Medical Council, or GMC, previously opened a fitness-to-practice investigation after a series of social media posts attributed to Dr Aladwan marked the anniversary of the October 7 attack with language interpreted by critics as glorifying violence against Israelis.
Those posts included references to Israel being “humiliated” and praised the breach of the Gaza border fence on the day of the attack. More than 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage during the assault, according to Israeli authorities.
The GMC referred Dr Aladwan to an Interim Orders Tribunal earlier this year, citing concerns about public confidence in the medical profession. While she was not suspended at that time, the decision sparked criticism from senior government figures.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly expressed concern, stating that language referring to “Jewish supremacy” is incompatible with NHS values and undermines trust in healthcare professionals. He later said he had lost confidence in the current regulatory system.
The GMC has since re-referred Dr Aladwan to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, where she is scheduled to face a further hearing later this week.
During a previous tribunal, Dr Aladwan defended her statements as political expression and denied wrongdoing. She has also disputed findings related to sexual violence committed during the October 7 attack — claims that contradict United Nations reporting.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said the arrest is part of an investigation led by its Public Order Crime Team into allegations that comments made both online and at protests were grossly offensive and antisemitic in nature. The suspect remains in custody while inquiries continue.
This case continues to raise difficult questions about freedom of expression, professional responsibility, and public trust in the medical profession — issues now under scrutiny both by law enforcement and healthcare regulators.
We will continue to follow developments closely.
Reported by Carl Montel.
