Two women convicted for harassing Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones with abuse over the Gaza conflict

Two pro-Palestine activists have been convicted of harassing Justice Minister and Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones, following a tense confrontation during last year’s election campaign.

Cardiff Magistrates’ Court found Ayeshah Behit, 31, and Hiba Ahmed, 26, guilty after evidence showed they relentlessly targeted the MP while she was leafletting in their hometown of Treforest, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 26 June 2024.

During the encounter, Davies-Jones told the court she felt “scared and intimidated” as the women aggressively questioned her about her stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, her voting record, and membership in Labour Friends of Israel. The situation escalated quickly, with the pair following her and shouting accusations, including “why do you support genocide?” and “why are you murdering babies?”

The defendants also distributed leaflets calling the MP a “full-blown supporter of genocide” and posted posters on the local Labour Party office labelling politicians as “enabling genocide.” A video of the incident was shared on social media with captions accusing Davies-Jones of lying, which she said was manipulated to damage her reputation.

The harassment left the MP “terrified,” forcing her to reduce campaigning and requiring her to be accompanied by close protection officers.

Sentencing, Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring described the harassment as “a deliberate and sustained campaign” designed to cause alarm and distress. He noted the actions went far beyond acceptable political criticism or free speech and were oppressive.

Ahmed, a final-year architecture student with no previous convictions, received a 12-month conditional discharge. Behit, who had a prior conviction linked to a Cardiff protest, was handed an 18-month conditional discharge. Both were fined £650 in costs plus a £26 court surcharge, to be paid at £20 per month.

Judge Goldspring expressed doubt over their remorse, stating he suspected their views would remain unchanged unless there were significant shifts in the Middle East.

In court, Ahmed said their intention was to raise awareness about Davies-Jones’s position on Palestine ahead of the election and described the filmed encounter as “a really normal conversation between people who don’t agree.”

Behit insisted their actions were aimed at scrutinising the MP’s policies rather than personal attacks. However, the court found their conduct amounted to harassment rather than legitimate political dialogue.

Both women announced plans to appeal the convictions, maintaining their stance that their campaign was part of democratic accountability.

The case highlights the fine line between activism and harassment in politically charged disputes surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, raising questions about the limits of protest and the protection of public officials.