Latifa Abouchakra, a journalist linked to Press TV, was arrested by West Midlands Police on Sunday as she made her way to a meeting organized by the Anti-Zionist Movement (AZM) in Birmingham. The arrest came as the group was preparing to host a launch event at Birmingham’s Old Print Works, which was later canceled after police raised concerns about the group’s pro-Armed Resistance stance, as reported by Press TV.

Controversial Stance on October 7 Attacks

Abouchakra had previously gained notoriety for her comments on the October 7 attacks against Israel, which left over 1,200 people dead and hundreds abducted. On that day, she posted a video celebrating the attacks, stating, ‘Nothing will ever be able to take back this moment, this moment of triumph, this moment of resistance, this moment of surprise, this moment of humiliation on behalf of the Zionist entity. Nothing. Ever.’

Abouchakra was set to speak alongside David Miller, a former professor at the University of Bristol who was sacked for anti-Israeli views, and Rahmeh Aladwan, a doctor currently suspended for antisemitism. Miller later took to social media to claim that the arrest was an act of political violence by the ‘Zionist lobby’ and accused ‘genocidal Jewish supremacists’ of trying to cancel the meeting.

Police Response and Legal Charges

West Midlands Police confirmed that two individuals were arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. The 35-year-old woman arrested was identified as Abouchakra. The force did not comment further on the nature of the investigation or whether the charges were linked to her remarks on October 7 or her planned speech at the AZM event.

The AZM event was canceled after police became aware that the group had posted on Instagram that it was ‘unapologetically pro-Armed Resistance.’ The move highlights growing concerns over the influence of Iran-backed groups in the UK and the potential risks they pose to national security and public order.

Experts Warn of Iranian Influence in Britain

Dr. Lynette Nusbacher, a former British Army intelligence officer and a key figure in shaping the UK’s National Security Strategies, told The Jerusalem Post that the UK is finally taking action against Iranian ‘agents’ operating within its borders. She noted that the growing evidence of Iran’s use of the UK as a base for its influence operations has made it increasingly difficult for the government to ignore these threats.

‘It used to be a struggle for experts and advocates to get the UK government to recognize the extent to which Iran used the UK as a base for their influence operations,’ Nusbacher said. ‘I’d like to think that hard work by academics and investigators is finally paying off, but I don’t think that’s it. I think that the obscenity of Iranian government action against their own people means that it’s no longer possible to ignore the dogged open-source investigators.’

She added, ‘For the last year, we’ve seen increasing evidence that Iranian government media are operating in Britain as agents of influence, and this is the response.’

The arrest of Abouchakra and the cancellation of the AZM event come amid a broader debate about the role of foreign-funded media in the UK and the potential risks they pose to national security. Experts warn that groups like Press TV and organizations like AZM can radicalize individuals and provide cover for illicit activities, including the movement of funds and people across borders.

The UK government has faced increasing pressure to address the influence of Iranian state media and its affiliates, particularly in light of recent events such as the October 7 attacks and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With the situation in the region showing no signs of de-escalation, the implications of this arrest and the broader crackdown on foreign influence could have significant consequences for both national security and public discourse in the UK.