US military veteran refuses to pay fine after being convicted for displaying Hamas sign

77-year-old US military veteran Michael Rabb refused to pay fines and costs totaling over £2,300 after being found guilty of carrying a sign supporting Hamas at a protest in South Yorkshire. The protest was held outside Sheffield City Hall in October 2023, amid the Hamas/Israel conflict. The judge had ruled that Rabb displayed the sign in a manner that raised suspicion of his support for a proscribed organization, resulting in the fines and costs imposed on him. Rabb, who claimed to have visited Gaza and been in prison in Israel for his activism in support of Palestine, insisted that he stood with Hamas and refused to pay the penalties.

During the sentencing at City of London Magistrates’ Court, Rabb, a former fighter pilot for the US Navy, expressed his refusal to pay the fines. The judge warned him of potential contempt of court and gave him seven days to make the payment. Despite being of previous good character and having served in the military, Rabb was found guilty of displaying the sign supporting Hamas, a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act. The protest took place following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, and Rabb’s sign caused distress among organizers, leading to police intervention and ultimately his arrest.

Rabb maintained that his support for Hamas was critical to his stance on the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s actions. He claimed that he had participated in peaceful missions to Palestine and had been involved in activism for years. Rabb described his actions as a legitimate act of civil disobedience and defended his right to express support for Hamas during the protest. He argued that his arrest and prosecution under the Terrorism Act were attempts to suppress dissent and shut down legitimate public protest, emphasizing the importance of standing with Palestine in the face of ongoing conflicts with Israel.

The prosecutor highlighted that Rabb’s sign had caused distress, potentially inflamed tensions, and led to police involvement due to the nature of his support for a proscribed organization. Rabb showed no remorse for his actions and insisted on his right to stand with Hamas, despite warnings of committing a terror offense. The judge acknowledged Rabb’s lack of awareness of Hamas being a proscribed organization but emphasized the seriousness of displaying support for such groups in public. Rabb’s refusal to pay the fines and costs imposed by the court reflected his unwavering commitment to his beliefs and activism in support of Palestine, even in the face of legal consequences.

In conclusion, the case of Michael Rabb highlights the complexities of expressing political opinions and support for contentious causes in public spaces. Rabb’s refusal to comply with the court’s orders demonstrates his dedication to his beliefs and activism, despite legal repercussions. The judge’s decision to impose fines and costs on Rabb for displaying a sign supporting a proscribed organization underscores the importance of adhering to legal boundaries in expressing political views. Rabb’s defiance and unwavering support for Hamas in the context of the ongoing Hamas/Israel conflict illustrate the challenges faced by individuals who engage in activism and civil disobedience to advocate for causes they believe in.