London Palestine Festival Raises $50K Under Shadow of Alleged Hamas Ties
Zaher Birawi, designated as a Hamas operative by Israel, hosted the fundraiser — raising concerns as $50K was collected without clarity about where those funds will ultimately flow
The 20th Palestine Festival held at Byron Hall in Harrow on November 22 drew hundreds of attendees and claimed that it raised more than $50,000 for Gaza relief, but the event has sparked controversy over its organizer’s alleged terrorist connections and the participation of several polarizing figures.
Zaher Birawi, officially designated by the Israeli Ministry of Defense as a main Hamas operative in Europe, delivered the festival’s keynote address. His organization, EuroPal Forum, was designated as a terrorist organization by Israel in 2021.
Multiple photographs document Birawi’s meetings with senior Hamas officials, including a 2012 photograph showing him alongside Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and former Hamas military chief Mahmoud Zahar. Birawi also served as chairman of the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) between 2001 and 2003, and has been involved in MAB activities as a Hamas operative.
Alleged Terror-Linked Speakers and Participants
The event honored several individuals whose activism has generated controversy. Among those recognized was Ahmed Alnaouq, co-founder of We Are Not Numbers and advocacy officer for Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. Jewish Onliner previously reported on the alleged ties between the We Are Not Numbers project (WANN) and Hamas. Additionally, Alnaouq has been found to have documented familial ties to Hamas members.
Another speaker at the festival was Adnan Hmidan, the chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB), another organization allegedly part of the UK Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas support infrastructure.
The festival’s $50,000 fundraising presents serious concerns about fund destination and oversight. With an individual designated by Israeli authorities as a Hamas operative organizing the event and speakers from organizations Israel alleges have Hamas ties, questions arise about how collected donations will ultimately be disbursed.