Sharifah Rahman is campaigning with Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, in South Cardiff and Penarth
Plaid Cymru withdrew its support for the election candidate after The Telegraph reported that it had liked tweets by Nick Griffin, the former leader of the far-right BNP, and a social media post describing Hamas as the “resistance”.
< p >The Welsh Nationalist Party said it “regretfully decided to withdraw support” for Sharifa Rahman on posts that do not reflect its “views and values”.
Ms Rahman is vying for the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency seat currently held by Labour's Stephen Doughty. Using a now-deleted account on X (formerly Twitter), she liked a number of controversial posts about Israel, including tweets from Mr. Griffin.
She liked a tweet from Mr. Griffin in November that talked about “terrorist origins of a terrorist state”, referring to the Irgun, the Zionist paramilitary organization operating in Mandatory Palestine.
On another occasion, she liked Mr Griffin's tweet, which showed a photograph of an Israeli flag stamped with the words: “God didn't give you the land – UK did it illegally.”
Ms Rahman liked Mr Griffin's tweet of the Israeli flag with the words: 'God didn't give you the land – UK did it illegally'
She also liked a tweet from Mr Griffin about a video he shared of a conversation with Jayda Fransen, another far-right activist. The post read: “Gaza, Palestine, Zionist oppression, Talmudic hatred, Christian Zionist heresy and more… Whoever you are, expect to be surprised and challenged by this must-see discussion!”
In November, Ms. Rahman also liked a tweet from an account that posted a video of Hamas militants freeing Israeli hostages. The message said: “Al-Qassam Brigades released footage showing the release of the second batch of Israeli prisoners. The prisoners appear healthy and feel comfortable waving to the resistance fighters.”
She liked a second follow-up tweet from the account, which said: “They are waving at the resistance fighters!”
After When The Telegraph contacted Plaid Cymru about X's posts, a Plaid Cymru spokesman said: “Plaid Cymru has regrettably decided to withdraw its support for its candidate for Cardiff South and Penarth with immediate effect.”
“Such messages are published on social networks. The views identified reflect views on the tragic situation in the Middle East that do not reflect the views and values of Plaid Cymru.
“Plaid Cymru has consistently condemned both the actions of Hamas terrorists on October 7 and the subsequent horrific bombing of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli government . We reiterate our calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unimpeded distribution of humanitarian aid and an end to the sale of weapons to Israel.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in Cardiff earlier this month. Photo: Rhydian Witts/Cover Images
The Telegraph understands that because Ms Rahman's nomination papers had already been submitted and there was no opportunity to withdraw the nomination before Friday's deadline, she will still appear on the ballot as a Plaid candidate Cymru, even though the party no longer supports it.
Ms Rahman is associated with Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend). A Mend Facebook advert for an event in Cardiff last November listed her as “co-deputy chair”.
The group was one of three that Michael Gove, the Communities Secretary, named in March using the parliamentary privilege as “raising concerns about their Islamist orientation and views.” He said the government could “evaluate for consideration” if they meet its new definition of extremism.
Mr Mend challenged Mr Gove to repeat the statement outside Parliament, accusing him at the time of “highly politicized and undemocratic polemics” and policies that they said would “undermine fundamental freedoms and give the state arbitrary power to sanction any dissenting citizen.”
Ms. Rahman did not respond to a request for comment.
Recent Comments