Hamas Leader Found Living in Subsidized London Home, Sparking Outrage
A Hamas leader, Muhammad Qassem Sawalha, has been discovered living in a government-subsidized home in London, which has caused outrage among the public. According to reports from U.K. media, Sawalha, who is a designated Hamas member according to Israel’s Ministry of Defense, had previously run the terrorist group’s operations in the West Bank. He managed to flee to England in the 1990s and obtained a British passport in the early 2000s while continuing to work for Hamas.
Sawalha is wanted in Israel and would face arrest if he were to return due to his affiliation with Hamas. Despite this, he and his wife, Sawsan, were able to secure a discount of approximately $136,500 on a state-funded home worth nearly $390,000 in London’s borough of Barnet. This borough is home to the highest Jewish population of any local authority in England, adding to the concern and shock surrounding Sawalha’s residency.
Barry Rawlings, the leader of Barnet borough, expressed his horror at the situation and emphasized the need to review Sawalha’s case and take appropriate action in collaboration with stakeholders such as the police and the government. The timing of this discovery, amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, has heightened the urgency to provide reassurance to local communities.
It was revealed that Sawalha and his wife utilized Britain’s Right to Buy scheme to purchase the property in 2021. They received a discount just $600 short of the maximum available discount. During his time in the U.K., Sawalha reportedly continued his involvement with Hamas, including holding secret talks to revitalize attacks in Israel. He was also indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004 for money laundering activities in Gaza and the West Bank.
Sawalha served on Hamas’ politburo, the organization’s main decision-making body, between 2013 and 2017. In 2019, he traveled to Russia as an official Hamas delegate and met with the country’s deputy foreign minister. Alarmingly, his house is located only a 10-minute drive away from two synagogues, in a neighborhood that is home to a significant Jewish population.
In 2020, UK Lawyers for Israel reported Sawalha to counterterrorism police, but no further action was taken due to the evidential test not being met. However, Sawalha’s attorney has strongly denied the allegations made in The Sunday Times’ report, stating that Sawalha is a law-abiding British citizen.
The revelation of Sawalha’s living situation has come at a time when tensions between Israel and Hamas escalated due to recent attacks launched by Hamas. These events have sparked protests and rallies in various cities worldwide, including the UK, where arrests have been made.
London’s Metropolitan Police Department took to social media to address the issue and emphasize their specialized efforts in combating terrorism. They have arrested one man on suspicion of inciting racial hatred at a pro-Palestinian protest and are investigating other alleged hate crime offenses, as well as a controversial sign expressing support for Hamas.
The presence of a designated Hamas member residing in a government-subsidized home in London has raised concerns about national security, the safety of local communities, and the need for rigorous oversight in granting such benefits. As the situation unfolds, authorities are expected to take appropriate action to address these concerns and provide reassurance to the public.
