ByMATHILDA HELLER
Updated:

The UK home secretary has banned an extremist Islamist preacher who praised Hamas from entering the country to carry out a speaking tour.

This comes a day after The Jerusalem Post reported on the planned speaking tour of US-based Dr. Shadee Elmasry, who has a history of extremist, antisemitic, and pro-terror views.

On Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood banned Elmasry from entering the UK to carry out a three-location tour in Birmingham, Bolton, and Ilford, which was set for January 4-6.

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region thanked Mahmood for her decision, calling it a “clear and important message that those who promote hatred, extremism or violence have no place in our society.”

“Given the extensive evidence of extremist content posted by the individual on his social media, our concern was that if the event had proceeded, it could have exploited the freedoms in this country to spread division, hate, and undermine our shared democratic values,” it added.

MP Shabana Mahmood who has been appointed to the role of Home Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street, during a reshuffle by the British government following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in London, Britain, September 5, 2025.
MP Shabana Mahmood who has been appointed to the role of Home Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street, during a reshuffle by the British government following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in London, Britain, September 5, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Jack Taylor)

North West Friends of Israel tagged the Post’s article and author in its statement of thanks to Mahmood.

“Mahmood has once again shown her commitment to protecting the UK’s Jewish community by banning the pro-Hamas Islamist preacher Dr Shadee Elmasry from entering the UK for a speaking tour.

“The fact some Muslim communities, organizations, and places of worship were going to host this Jew hating preacher is deeply worrying and had the clear potential to incite violence against British Jews and repeat the terror attack we experienced on Yom Kippur at Heaton Park Synagogue,” the statement read.

Elmasry has a history of praising Hamas, held antisemitic beliefs

In its deep dive into Elmasry’s history, the Post found scores of posts praising Hamas, jihad, and violent resistance. A day after the October 7 Hamas massacre, he wrote on X/Twitter: “The people of Gaza finally punched back.”

He also called Hamas a “legitimate resistance movement” and denied that any rapes, beheadings, or violence took place on October 7.

Elmasry has also spread antisemitic conspiracy theories and propaganda, such as Jews worshiping Satan or seeking world domination.

More recently, he did a video series promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories like Jewish supremacy, Israel being behind 9/11, and insinuating that Israel killed US political activist Charlie Kirk.

The Post reached out to the Home Office for additional comment.