UK Blogger Sued by Hamas

A British blog called Harry’s Place is being sued by Mohammed Sawalha for posting a variant of a translated phrase from one of the plaintiff’s speeches. Lest you think of Mr. Sawalha as an innocent lamb, consider that even the BBC (yes, even the Beeb!) says that he “master minded much of Hamas’ political and military strategy” and in the UK “is alleged to have directed funds, both for Hamas’ armed wing, and for spreading its missionary dawah”.

Harry is evidently up against some high-priced and hard-hitting solicitors on behalf of the Hamas mastermind. He’s going to need help if Mr. Sawalha continues with his legal intimidation.

Here’s a brief excerpt from Harry’s Place:

Last Friday, in the wake of a closely argued debate about whether Mohammed Sawalha, the President of the British Muslim Initiative, had used the phrase “Evil Jew” or “Jewish Lobby” in a speech, Harry’s Place received a letter. The letter is from Dean and Dean, a firm of solicitors who are acting for Mr Sawalha. Mr Sawalha has demanded that we take down certain articles from Harry’s Place, and publish an apology “in the attached wording”.

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[…]

Mr Sawalha claims that we have “chosen a malevolent interpretation of a meaningless word”. In fact, we did no more than translate a phrase which appeared in an Al Jazeera report of Mr Sawalha’s speech. When Al Jazeera changed that phrase from “Evil Jew” to “Jewish Lobby”, we reported that fact, along with the statement that it had been a typographical error.

The British blogs have already swarmed in solidarity. A blogburst has been started at NeoConstant in support of Harry’s Place.

I recommend that readers visit both blogs to get the full story, and pass the word on. If you’re a blogger, you can join the blogburst.